PMO demands detailed explanation, public apology from Meta during meet over post removal

PETALING JAYA: Representatives from Meta Platforms Inc (Meta) met with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to explain the removal of several posts on the Prime Minister's Facebook and Instagram accounts

In a statement on Monday (Aug 5), the PMO’s media and strategic communications division said that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission chairman, Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din, also attended the meeting.

"During the meeting, the PMO expressed its deep dismay at Meta’s action in removing the Prime Minister’s posts, expressing condolences and paying tribute to the late Ismail Haniyeh, who was recently assassinated,” it said.

The PMO also expressed regret over the blocking of the Facebook live broadcast involving RTM's news account during last night's 'Himpunan Pembebasan Palestin' rally on Sunday (Aug 4)

"The PMO views Meta’s actions as discriminatory, unjust, and a blatant suppression of free expression. It is also seen as an affront to the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people in their pursuit of justice and human rights," it said in the statement.

ALSO READ: PM's Office summons Meta to explain removal of posts

The PMO added that the decision to censor content without considering the context of the post raised "questions about the transparency of Meta’s content moderation policies."

"As a result, the PMO demands a detailed explanation regarding Meta's actions and a public apology.

"As promised during the meeting, Meta will be issuing a press statement shortly," the statement said.

It was previously reported that the posts on the Prime Minister's Instagram account condemning Haniyeh's assassination on July 31 and photos of his meeting with the Hamas leader had been removed from the social media platform.

The posts were removed with the caption "Dangerous individuals and organizations."

This led the Prime Minister's Office to condemn Meta's actions.

On Aug1, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged Meta to cease being an instrument of the oppressive Zionist Israeli regime.