Govt mulls tightening laws to check offensive social media posts, says Annuar

KOTA BARU: The Communications and Multimedia Ministry is studying the need to tighten existing laws against those who misuse social media by uploading offensive posts.

Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said although Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 could be used against offenders, it was not so effective in checking contents uploaded from overseas platforms.

"For example, if someone uploads on Facebook and Twitter, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has no power to take it down.

“And even to ask help from the overseas-based platform, we need to do preliminary investigations before bringing it to the Attorney General's Chambers to seek the cooperation of the country concerned.

"The process is quite lengthy and that's why we are looking into the possibility of strengthening certain provisions in the existing Act, based on our experience in managing this matter,” he said.

He said this at a press conference after presenting zakat (tithe) to 259 Form Six students in the Ketereh parliamentary constituency here.

Annuar, who is Ketereh Member of Parliament, said this when asked whether the government would enhance legal provisions to check social media posts which seem to breach the laws. - Bernama