KUALA LUMPUR: Amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act have been tabled for its first reading today.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who made the first reading in Parliament this morning, also presented amendments to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Act for its first reading.
The second reading of the amendments will be made in this parliamentary sitting.
Fahmi had previously said amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act would pave the way for social media companies to be more proactive and accountable for online harm occurring on their platforms.
The amendments will focus on three key areas, namely industry development, network security and social media and licensing.
The amendments also seek to improve Section 233 of the act, which touches on improper use of network facilities, by clearly defining the meaning of "terlampau jelik" or grossly offensive.
Meanwhile, amendments to the MCMC Act will empower the commission to set standards related to industry development and safety.
It also aims to give the MCMC more bite, allowing it to have auditing power, and increase its spending limit and protection against legal action, thus increasing investigation and evidence-gathering powers.