BAGAN DATUK: The recent move by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) which makes it mandatory for all social media and Internet messaging services to apply for an Application Service Provider Class Licence under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) is a step in the right direction, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the move could help check the increase in cybercrime cases, including the use of fake accounts on social media, as well as spreading negative perceptions about the government.
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“It is to ensure that no one uses fake accounts to create negative perceptions, and that they don’t hide behind the names of others and use fake accounts to cyberbully,” he told the media after launching the 2024 Bagan Datuk Umno division delegates’ meeting here yesterday.
MCMC in a statement on Saturday said all social media and Internet messaging services that have at least eight million registered users in this country need to apply for an Application Service Provider Class Licence under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588).
The move will come into force from Jan 1, 2025, following a new regulatory framework on social media services and Internet messaging services introduced from Aug 1 this year.
Asked to comment on claims by certain quarters that the new law is politically motivated and restricted freedom of expression, Ahmad Zahid said netizens who do not violate ethics and use social media responsibly do not need to be afraid, Bernama reported.
“What is there to be afraid if social media is used to express the truth and provide the true identity (of the writer)? Many countries do not use social media channels that exist now,” he added.
The Umno president also agreed with the move to amend or enact a new law related to cyberbullying and impose harsher penalty on cyberbullies causing death.
“What happened recently which led to death is very sad. When brought to court, the existing law also does not provide adequate punishment.
“We do not blame the court in this matter; the law only imposes a low amount of fine,” Ahmad Zahid said.
