KUALA LUMPUR: Meta Platforms Inc has apologised for removing content related to the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Among the posts taken down was Anwar’s condolence message on Haniyeh’s death.
“We apologise for an operational error where content from the Prime Minister’s Facebook and Instagram pages was removed, and the content has since been restored with the correct newsworthy label,” a Meta spokesman told Reuters in an email response.
However, Meta also included a note saying that the posts were still “in violation of community guidelines but have been left on Instagram for public awareness”.
On Aug 5, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) demanded an explanation on the removal of the content and a public apology from Meta.
The demand was made following a meeting between Meta and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
In a statement, the PMO’s media and strategic communications division said that the meeting was also attended by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din.
Meanwhile, at a press conference yesterday, Fahmi said the Prime Minister has accepted the apology.
“I have contacted the Prime Minister and he has taken note of the apology from Meta. The Prime Minister said his friends, including those in the Middle East, had read the news, meaning it has reached worldwide.
“The Prime Minister accepts the apology, and we hope such an incident will not recur,” he told a press conference after his ministry’s monthly assembly yesterday.
Fahmi said he also hopes that Meta would be in touch with the PMO to inform them of the latest guidelines from time to time if there are any changes.
“Meta’s guidelines, particularly on geopolitical issues, change from time to time. Sometimes, they would inform us and sometimes they would not,” he said.
Fahmi also requested Meta ensure Anwar is accorded the same treatment as other world leaders.
“There must not be any double standards in this matter,” he said.
Haniyeh, the former prime minister of Palestine, was assassinated in Teheran, Iran, on July 3.
He was there to attend the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
