KUALA LUMPUR: Social media platforms have taken down 713 deepfakes and doctored images of political party leaders at the request of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) since January last year, says the Communications Ministry.
The ministry said the content was removed between Jan 1, 2025 and Sept 15 this year based on complaints, breaches of the platforms' community guidelines and local laws.
On whether enforcement was selective, it said MCMC acted on the law, the elements of an offence and the evidence.
"MCMC's action is based on legal provisions, elements of the offence, facts and evidence, without taking into account the political leanings, position or background of the individuals involved," it said in a written parliamentary reply on Thursday (Oct 8).
It said cases requiring prosecution were referred to the Attorney-General's Chambers, and charges were brought only with the written consent of the Public Prosecutor.
Those dissatisfied with MCMC's decisions could appeal to the Appeal Tribunal under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) and the Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866), and then seek a judicial review in the High Court.
The ministry was replying to Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar), who asked for the number of complaints and actions taken on deepfakes involving political party leaders in 2025 and 2026.
He also asked how the Government ensured that enforcement was not selective based on the political position of the victim.
In July, the ministry said MCMC had requested the removal of 13,122 deepfake items between Jan 1 and June 30 this year, of which 12,353 were taken down.
