No internet censorship once social media licensing is enforced, says Comms Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: There will be no censorship of the internet locally under the upcoming government plan to license social media platforms next year, says the Communications Ministry.

The ministry said compulsory licensing for social media providers was necessary to prevent any undesirable incidents.

“Freedom without boundaries is a freedom that invites disaster. As such, this measure is intended to ensure a balance between freedom of speech, national security, and Malaysians’ well-being," it said in a parliamentary written reply on Tuesday (Nov 5).

“As clarified under the MSC Malaysia Bill of Guarantees No. 7, the government will not censor the internet.

“However, this does not mean that unlawful content can be spread freely without regard for legal provisions as any unlawful behaviour in the physical realm is also an offence in the online environment."

It added that the move was also to ensure that social media platforms do not harm the country's harmonious multicultural identity and cultural norms.

Suhaimi Nasir (BN-Libaran) had asked the ministry about measures and guarantees that the planned licensing of social media platforms would not allow for government censorship.

All social media platforms and internet chat services with over eight million registered users must apply for a class licence for application service providers by Jan 1.