Regulating social media

THE government is planning stricter laws to deal with growing problems on social media platforms but if they prove ineffective, these platforms may be regulated.

Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said that heavier penalties were being considered with amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act.

“There is a proposal to increase penalty under Section 233 under Act. However, if we feel that at the end of the day, it (social media platform) is still a dangerous matter, we will study how it can be regulated,” she said when replying to a supplementary question raised by Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar).

Mohd Shahar had asked whether there were plans to amend Sections 211 and 223 of the Act for the authorities to act against those spreading fake news on social media.

Teo said a study was being done on proposed amendments to Section 233 to give the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission more power to act.

The amendments, she said, included increasing the penalties.

Sections 211 and 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act regulate offensive online content and both carry a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both upon conviction.

To the original question by Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar), Teo said the MCMC had no power to shut down fake accounts on social media platforms such as Facebook or TikTok.

However, the MCMC could request for the providers to do so, she said.

She said platform service providers would be asked to close such accounts for spreading fake news or used to operate online scams.

Teo added that the platform service providers might not be bound to reveal the identity of fake accounts owners, based on laws in the respective countries.

“We are engaging with social media platform providers so they will better understand the situation and context of what is happening in our country,” she said.

Earlier, Teo said Malaysians, including youth, had the right to criticise and voice their opinions.

However, she said the freedom of expression must be done within the boundaries of the law.