M’sia to look into Indonesia’s TikTok ecommerce ban

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will look into the action taken by the Indonesian government to ban ecommerce transactions on social media platform TikTok before devising appropriate measures in the country, says Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Fahmi said he had received complaints from members of the public who expressed concern about the action, adding that several large stores had also raised issues on the price competition for products sold through the platform.

“Many Malaysians use the TikTok Shop platform to sell goods. So, I will ask the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and ministry to look into the basis of the action taken by the Indonesian government.

“I think TikTok needs to come forward and explain because one of the reasons why TikTok Shop is banned in Indonesia is due to the issue of predatory pricing, which is threatening local entrepreneurs there,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after a gotong-royong programme at Kampung Limau People’s Housing Project (PPR) in Pantai Dalam here yesterday, Bernama reported. TikTok, said Fahmi, should also explain the issue of personal data protection, which was a concern for members of the public when they shopped on the platform.

“I think all social media (platforms) will study user behaviour, starting from what we like to what we share, what we buy and what we watch.

“So, there are some issues that the ministry and MCMC need to look into, especially on the aspects of consumerism or personal data protection. I will call TikTok soon to discuss (the issues),” said the Lembah Pantai MP.

Fahmi said the discussion was important because the ministry had also received complaints from media organisations on the use of social media that affected their operations.

“Many companies no longer spend on advertising through the (traditional) media but through the social media platforms.

“So, it affects the media and I am very concerned about this issue,” he added.

On Monday, Indonesia’s Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said the ban was aimed at preventing the use of personal data in business interests as well as creating a fair, healthy and beneficial electronic commerce ecosystem.