No censorship under social media licensing, vows Fahmi Fadzil

Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil has reportedly vowed that the Malaysian government will not be censoring the local internet under its new social media regulatory license framework. 

However, this does not mean that unlawful content can be spread freely without regard for legal provisions, said Fahmi in a parliamentary reply to Libaran MP Suhaimi Nasir, reported Malay Mail. 

The minister added that any unlawful behaviour in the physical realm is an offence in the online environment and while freedom of expression is a recognised fundamental right, it must be accompanied with responsibility. 

Don't miss: MY social media licensing plan lacks clarity, threatens innovation, says Meta 

Fahmi reportedly said that freedom without boundaries is a freedom that "invites disaster", adding that the regulatory framework is intended to ensure a balance between freedom of speech, national security and the well-being of citizens. 

These comments come as Malaysia inches closer to implementing a new social media regulatory license framework on 1 January 2025. 

The framework is part of the Malaysian government's efforts to combat online crimes such as pedophilia, scams, fake news and online gambling. First reported earlier in the year, the government has reportedly been working with various social media platforms such as Meta, Google and TikTok. 

However, some social media giants have recently shown resistance to the new social media license, including Meta who said it has not yet decided on whether or not to apply for the license due to a lack of clarity. 

In an interview with Reuters earlier this week, Meta's director of public policy for SEA Rafael Frankel reportedly said that the timeline to apply for a license was "exceptionally accelerated", and the obligations for social media firms under the plan remained unclear. 

This is especially since regulations tend to take a couple years to go through multiple iterations, to properly structure them, and to balance the need for safety that don't "inadvertently cap innovation and digital economic growth", Frankel reportedly said. 

In addition, Frankel said Meta does not need a licensing regime to take online safely seriously as it already shares the Malaysian government's goal for a safe online environment.

He added that Meta was working closely with the government to remove or restrict harmful content from its platforms.  Without providing additional details, Frankel reportedly said that Meta has shared its concerns with the government and hopes to "bridge the differences". 

Photo courtesy Fahmi Fadzil, Facebook

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