MCMC has reportedly investigated over 3,000 cases under comms and multimedia act

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has reportedly investigated 3,077 cases involving offences related to obscene, indecent, false, threatening and offensive elements from 2009 to 15 June this year.  

Communications minister Teo Nie Ching reportedly said that 151 of the 3,077 cases were prosecuted in court and were investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588), according to The Star. 

For offences involving obscene content, 72 cases were prosecuted in court with total fines of RM617,050. 15 cases were offered compound fines totalling RM38,000 and 18 cases were issued warning notices, Teo reportedly said during the parliament special chambers session. 

Don't miss: MCMC investigating 'Bola Tribe' account over insensitive social media posts

Three cases were reportedly prosecuted in court for offences involving indecent elements with fines of RM55,000 and three cases were issued warning notices.

Meanwhile, for offences involving false content, 25 cases were prosecuted in court with total fines of RM162,300, four cases were offered compound fines totalling RM11,000, and 51 cases were issued warning notices, added The Star. 

Teo reportedly added that there were three offences involving threatening content that were prosecuted in court with fines totalling RM3,000 while five cases involving threatening content were offered compound fines totalling RM21,000. 

Finally, for offences involving offensive elements, 48 cases were prosecuted in court with total fines of RM430,000, 22 cases were offered compound fines totalling RM126,000 and 25 cases were issued warning notices, Teo reportedly said. 

The minister reportedly added that the MCMC's investigations were based on public complaints, requests from other enforcement agencies, and proactive monitoring by MCMC. 

Teo also reportedly clarified that the Act 588 is not intended to restrict freedom of speech but is seen as necessary to ensure that the right to freedom of speech is exercised responsibly. 

She reportedly added that the proposed amendments to Act 588 have been finalised and will be tabled in parliament after approval from the Attorney General's Chambers and the cabinet, adding that the amendments have taken into account the views of various stakeholders. 

These stakeholders include industry players, federal and state ministries and agencies, security and defence enforcement agencies, as well as non-governmental organisations including the Malaysian Bar Council. 

Last week, Teo said that not all content taken down on social media, including TikTok, were made by the request of the MCMC or the Malaysian government.

Teo said that the removal of content by platform providers is subject to its own consideration and evaluation. It is also based on reports of abuse from platform users. 

The minister explained that the 'Government Takedown Request Report' stated that TikTok received 1,862 requests from the Malaysian government. However, the report also showed that the total number of applications received for content removal was 6,231.

This means that not all requests to take down content are made by the MCMC or the Malaysian government, added Teo during her speech at the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday. 

Gear up for the most captivating PR conference of the year! #PRAsia #Singapore & #Malaysia returns, bringing you the tools and insights you need to dominate in this dynamic environment. Join over 100 industry leaders and experts for an action-packed program filled with insightful discussions and valuable takeaways.

Related articles: 
Microsoft and MCMC to ink MoU to upskill MY workforce
MCMC, Fahmi Fadzil, take action against social media users for content uploaded
Huawei and MCMC empower future leaders with digital transformation programme