KUALA LUMPUR: The government has no plan to block access to social media platforms that have not applied for an Applications Service Provider Class Licence under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588).
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil stated that blocking access could be a "last resort" measure, only considered after other actions are taken in line with the Act.
The licensing requirement takes effect on Jan 1, 2025.
"Regarding whether users can still access social media platforms after the licensing requirement is enforced on Jan 1, 2025... it is emphasised that only platforms with over eight million users in Malaysia need to register.
"At this stage, the government does not intend to restrict access to such platforms if they fail to register. We see this as a 'last resort' and would prefer to avoid that direction.
"However, there are other actions that can be taken against these platforms under the Communications and Multimedia Act," he said during the oral question session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan (PN-Tasek Gelugor), who asked if user access to unlicensed social media platforms would be blocked after Jan 1, 2025.
On July 27, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced that all social media and internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users in the country would need to apply for a Class Licence under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588).
The requirement will come into force on Jan 1, 2025, following the introduction of a new regulatory framework for social media and internet messaging services that took effect on Aug 1.
The MCMC had explained that this enforcement aligns with the Cabinet's decision that social media and internet messaging services in Malaysia must comply with Malaysian laws.
Wan Saiful also raised a supplementary question regarding the drafting of the proposed Online Safety Act, asking if there was ongoing engagement to ensure alignment in the licensing process and the new legislation.
"The draft legislation is currently being developed by the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU). Extensive engagement is ongoing between the Ministry of Communications, MCMC, and BHEUU to avoid overlap between the proposed act and the Communications and Multimedia Act.
"The two acts will thus complement each other," he added.