Malaysia calls for regional collaboration to regulate communications and multimedia industry

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia hopes to collaborate with other Asean member states to improve the regulation of the communications and multimedia industry and work closely together as a regional bloc, says Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

In his opening remarks at the inaugural International Regulatory Conference (IRC 2024) here on Monday (May 6), he noted that as the chair of Asean in 2025, Malaysia aims to invigorate Asean-led forums and achieve significant milestones.

Fahmi said the regional regulatory framework on online safety is anticipated to facilitate coordination and collaboration in addressing common challenges related to online safety and building regional consensus on safeguarding the digital environment.

"To address current and future challenges and trends from within and outside the region, we propose to develop an inspiring, inclusive, and forward-looking post-2025 vision for the Asean Community, spanning the next 20 years,” he said.

Fahmi said the Malaysian government has introduced the Cybersecurity Bill 2024 and is finalising the regulatory framework for online services platforms, particularly social media and internet messaging providers.

"Once regulated, these platforms will be required to observe Malaysian laws and are expected to adhere to certain conduct requirements. These include the requirement to protect young individuals by proposing a restriction on social media usage for those under 13,” he said.

Fahmi said the government is also drafting laws to address online safety and using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance online safety through the development of an AI Portal.

At the press conference, Fahmi said that through IRC 2024, Malaysia could learn about the issues faced by other countries and the regulatory aspects implemented.

"My hope with the IRC is that, first, we can implement it regularly. Second, as a result of these discussions, there may be some steps or strategies that we can consider, and if they are suitable for the situation in Malaysia, they can be implemented,” he said.

He said his ministry would also consider proposing the IRC to the Asean Secretariat for inclusion in next year's event calendar when Malaysia takes over the regional bloc's chairmanship.

"For the Communications Ministry, we have proposed several events involving our agencies,” Fahmi added.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, and MCMC Chairman Tan Sri Mohamed Salim Fateh Din were also present at the event.

The IRC 2024, organised by the MCMC, will gather communications and multimedia experts, including regulators and policymakers, from Asean, Korea, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

A total of 800 participants attended the two-day conference with the theme “Aligning Innovation with Safety for a Sustainable Future”. – Bernama