BERNAMApic
KULAI: The Communications and Digital Ministry will meet social media and messaging platform providers to discuss legal provisions related to the sharing of obscene content in this country.
Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching (pic) said this was to ensure that the providers, including Telegram, WhatsApp and Facebook, clearly understand that the act is prohibited and users could be penalised if convicted.
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"We will hold a dialogue with all platform providers to advise and remind them that Malaysian law will not tolerate elements like this... a meeting will be held soon.
"Those who send obscene content will face action under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
"We want all platform providers to understand this because this type of complaint is the most frequently received,” she told reporters after watching "Anwar: The Untold Story” at a cinema here on Tuesday (May 23) night.
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The Kulai MP was commenting on a Telegram account, run by a woman, that reportedly discusses obscene topics.
On Monday (May 22), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said the Islamic Development Department Malaysia (Jakim) had submitted an official complaint to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission over the Telegram account.
On alleged sabotage in the screening times of "Anwar: The Untold Story”, Teo said the ministry would investigate the claims.
"So far, I have not received any feedback from Finas (the National Film Development Corporation). We will investigate, but I believe if many viewers are interested in the film, more cinemas will screen it,” she said.
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On Sunday (May 21), the film distributor claimed that some cinemas were sabotaging screenings of the biopic, which the Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors (MAFE) then denied.
According to MAFE, it has never sidelined any local film and has always supported the country’s film industry.
Commenting on "Anwar: The Untold Story”, Teo said the film could inspire young people as it depicts the struggle and philosophy of 10th Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who did not give up throughout his political career. – Bernama
