The review of the regulatory framework will cover aspects pertaining to licensing, the relevance of existing penalties, and introducing new laws. — MCMC
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it is speeding up the review of the online content management framework in order to combat the proliferation of harmful and provocative online content.
"It is apt that the regulatory framework be reviewed given the current situation online that perpetuates the spread of content detrimental to national security and harmony, including elements of extreme ideology and fake news," MCMC interim chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din said in a statement.
He said the review of the regulatory framework will cover aspects pertaining to licensing, the relevance of existing penalties, and introducing new laws.
According to Mohamad Salim, countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia have implemented direct regulatory oversight of social media service providers, holding them accountable and responsible for managing harmful content.
"These crucial changes are introduced to curb extremist behaviours and the proliferation of provocative content online," he added.
On Nov 30, MCMC and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) called up the TikTok management to provide an explanation regarding three sponsored videos that depicted users warning about the recurrence of the May 13, 1969 riots.
On Nov 21, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani urged the public not to create tension after detecting social media content with provocative sentiments and insults towards the royal institution following the results of the 15th general election.
Users who spread false and threatening content can be charged under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and may face fines of RM50,000, a year in jail, or both if convicted, according to the regulatory body.
