KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 1,993 pornographic posts and advertisements have been removed from various social media platforms from 2022 till Feb 15 this year, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said that in the same period, 3,670 websites were blocked by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for inappropriate content.
"The 1,993 pornographic posts on social media were removed following applications made by the MCMC based on Act 588."
"To ensure a safer internet ecosystem, the MCMC have made it compulsory for every social media and online messaging platform with at least eight million users to apply for an Application Service Provider (ASP) C License beginning Jan 1 this year," said Fahmi in Parliament.
Fahmi was responding to Dr Halimah Ali (PN-Kapar), who asked on Feb 25 about the ministry’s steps in addressing pornographic material on social media and the internet.
In response to Fahmi, Dr Halimah said that pornographic advertisements are still rampant despite Putrajaya’s intervention.
According to Fahmi, the MCMC has a specific group to monitor and take action on inappropriate content online.
"Social media platforms have a duty of care to avoid putting up inappropriate content and that is why we need to work with them," said Fahmi.
RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) then asked if there are measures to ensure defamatory and seditious content, especially involving the royalty and politicians, will not be repeated by certain quarters.
Fahmi said those who spread slander will face the music, and an example of it would be the recent arrest of an individual on Feb 24 after he failed to attend a court hearing for a trial on spreading fake content.
"He was arrested and he will be brought before the courts for insulting The Conference of Rulers, which is a very important institution," added Fahmi.
Fahmi said everyone, including MPs, have a role to play in abstaining from sharing fake content.
"So, let’s learn from what has happened recently - don’t spread slander," added Fahmi.
According to reports, the suspect who failed to attend his trial at the Sepang Sessions Court will be charged under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (Act 588), which provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000, or one-year jail sentence, or both.
