KUALA LUMPUR: Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said licensing social media aims to create a safer ecosystem for children and is not aimed to suppress free speech online.
"The new regulation places responsibility on service providers to help create a safer online ecosystem, especially for children and families, ensuring a more secure and positive user experience," he said in a parliamentary reply to Dr Siti Mastura Muhammad (PN-Kepala Batas).
The opposition lawmaker had inquired about the laws and guidelines set by the ministry for companies that provide social media platforms, particularly concerning the deletion of content and the blocking of accounts.
Fahmi said the licensing of social media and instant messaging platforms was not intended to infringe upon the constitutional right to freedom of speech, as guaranteed in the Federal Constitution.
Fahmi said the initiative was to address the increase in irresponsible online activities.
In 2019, a 16-year-old Malaysian girl reportedly died by suicide after sharing an Instagram poll asking her followers to help her "choose D/L. "D" represented death.
Fahmi said actions taken by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), such as the removal of harmful online content, are carried out in response to complaints from enforcement agencies and service providers.
"MCMC is also responsible for investigating complaints from the public, although any decision to prosecute ultimately falls under the jurisdiction of the Attorney General's Chambers," he said.
Fahmi also said those who disagreed with directives issued by MCMC, can file an appeal with the Appeal Tribunal, established under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
"Affected parties may also seek judicial review of the decisions or orders made by MCMC," he said.
On July 27, 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 comes 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.