PUTRAJAYA: The enforcement date for licensing social media platforms remains Jan 1, 2025, says Fahmi Fadzil.
The Communications Minister, who also serves as the spokesman for the unity government, said he welcomed the statement from the outcome of the meeting between the Prime Minister and the CEO of TikTok in Peru.
During the meeting, TikTok was advised to cooperate fully with the MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission) and the Communications Ministry in efforts to ensure the internet, including the TikTok platform, is safer.
"On the issue of cyberbullying, we see that currently, many cases of cyberbullying are happening on several platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.
"As for TikTok, I have not yet received any reports showing results, other than the assurances they gave to the Prime Minister.
"This is one of the reasons why we have decided to implement the social media platform licensing system starting Jan 1 2025.
"This cannot be changed. Otherwise, it will just be a promise, but no action will be taken, "he told a post-Cabinet meeting press conference here on Friday (Nov 15).
On Thursday (Nov 14), social media platform TikTok gave its assurance that it will cooperate with local communications and financial authorities to address cyberbullying and online scams, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The relevant authorities are the Communications Ministry, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, and Bank Negara Malaysia.
The Prime Minister said this following his meeting with a delegation from TikTok, led by its chief executive officer Shou Zi Chew, in Lima, Peru.
“During the meeting, I raised several matters, including the implementation of a regulatory framework to license social media and Internet messaging services starting from Jan 1 next year.
“I also touched on issues such as cyberbullying, scams, and the culture of defamation in Malaysia, which has been rampant on TikTok.
“We also discussed the collaboration between the government and TikTok in Malaysia, and it has confirmed plans to continue making substantial investments,” said Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister.
TikTok has also expressed its commitment to supporting Malaysia’s efforts as the chair of Asean in 2025, he added.
