MCMC clamps down on another gambling-themed Raya ad

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has discovered another Raya ad promoting gambling activities. This came shortly after the online gambling platform GDBet333 was criticised last week for an ad that encouraged Muslims to gamble so they can win some money and celebrate Hari Raya. MCMC has since requested media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to remove the content and the Malaysian police are also currently investigating the case.

MCMC said in a statement that activities such as gambling are harmful to the community and it has since contacted media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to remove the ad in line with the terms of service and community standards set by them. "The dissemination of such videos is uploaded on overseas-based platforms and cannot be controlled," MCMC said. It added that the content did not go through the Film Censorship Board because it was not uploaded onto local platforms.

To date, MCMC has requested for Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to remove 61 pieces of content, while 13% of the content has been removed based on violations of the terms of services and community standards. The rest are still in the process of evaluation.

MCMC urged Malaysians to refrain from disseminating such content and be more responsible by reporting to the authorities on the dissemination of videos that contradict social norms, for further action. According to MCMC, this is important because the act of spreading such content will only serve to "aid the irresponsible party", MCMC explained. 

It added that while content creators and providers have the freedom, they must also adhere to the Communications and Multimedia Content Code, in line with the norms of a pluralistic Malaysian society. At the same time, parties involved such as the production crew and the actors should also be more sensitive and not be complicit in the activities of promoting online gambling, which is an offence, MCMC said. 

Photo courtesy: 123RF

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