Telegram reps may be called up by Comms Ministry, says Fahmi

SHAH ALAM: Social media platform provider Telegram may be called up by the Communications and Digital Ministry, says its Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

“Yes, we have noticed many issues with Telegram with all sorts of information there, such as scams.

“At the same time, however, we know that it (Telegram) functions as a platform to share information to the public.

“Hence, we may call Telegram in (whether we like it or not) to have discussions not only on scams (on the platform), but also towards content such as the spread of pornography and extremism.

“We need to stop this immediately,” he told a press conference after speaking at a town hall session on Monday (March 6).

He added that ministry officials had already reached out to Telegram representatives with a date for the meeting that has yet to be set.

“Hopefully the meeting will be soon,” he said.

Fahmi added that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) was also studying the need on whether content creators should be licensed.

“We are considering several aspects here but for now, no decision has been made.

“I have also requested Cybersecurity Malaysia to study security aspects of content creation,” he added.