Fahmi wants accountability from messaging apps to curb illegal activities
KUALA LUMPUR: Online messaging platforms should be more responsible in ensuring their platforms are free of vice activities, says Fahmi Fadzil (pic).
The Communications Minister said all applications had the potential to be misused, stressing the need for said platforms to comply with the country’s laws.
He said the matter was also being monitored by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
“I have left it to them to take the appropriate measures to ensure the Internet is a safer space for both children and families,” he told a press conference after officiating U Mobile’s Digital School initiative here yesterday.
Fahmi urged the Telegram platform to be more proactive in dealing with problems highlighted by the authorities, citing the proliferation of scammers and illicit sales of drugs.
“We know of channels that promote illegal online gambling, pornography and several other types of crimes.
“We want Telegram to be more responsible and take action on channels or accounts that violate Malaysian laws,” he added.
He said there are also instances of sexual grooming on online messaging platforms, citing findings from Bukit Aman’s Sexual, Women and Child Investigation Division (D11).
“The Telegram platform, for example, is commonly used by parents and teachers but at the same time, we received many complaints about it.
“It has been misused for uploading pornography and I was also informed there are drug sales alongside instances of scam activities,” he said.
In his speech at the event, Fahmi reiterated that children under the age of 13 were not encouraged to have social media accounts.
He highlighted how the Internet should not only be easily available but also a safe space for children and families.
Students facing online or physical bullying should also quickly inform parents and teachers, said Fahmi.
“This allows the appropriate action to be taken according to the law,” he said.
On U Mobile’s Digital School initiative, Fahmi said a pilot project has been carried out at four public schools in the Bangsar Pudu district here.
He said the initiative aims to utilise digital technologies to aid students in going cashless when making transactions at schools.
“This includes making food purchases at canteens where parents can deposit a certain amount for their children’s expenditure.
“Parents are also able to monitor the expenditures in real time,” he said.
U Mobile chief executive officer Wong Heang Tuck said digitising education is a foundation towards digitising the national landscape as outlined in the Digital Education Policy by the Education Ministry.
“There are challenges towards this such as digital literacy and infrastructure alongside sustainable technological investments.
“We hope to play a role in spearheading Malaysia’s digitalisation,” he said.
