Dr M: What is illegal offline is almost always illegal online

From left: Facebook vice president of Asia Pacific Dan Neary, Dr Mahathir, Gobind and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia chairman Al-Ishsal Ishak at the launch of the expanded Facebook Malaysia office in Kuala Lumpur.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad acknowledged that the Internet and social media platforms play a vital role in promoting openness and inclusivity but also warned that they are increasingly being abused.

"The Internet is increasingly being abused with the rising number of wrongdoings and offenses committed today, especially through the use of social media platforms,” he said at the opening of the newly expanded Facebook Malaysia office in Kuala Lumpur.