Social media rules will be introduced to create a safe virtual environment – PM
KUALA LUMPUR: The regulation of social media and internet messaging services that will be introduced by the government is aimed at combating the spread of crime and dangerous information thus creating a safe virtual environment for all users.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government is aware that there may be some unpopular restrictions or regulations, but they are necessary for the welfare of the community.
“Marcapada and the sophistication of technology demand any party, especially virtual citizens, to maintain high order without causing sensitivity to the point of threatening peace and order when using any social media platform available,” he said through a post on the Facebook page today.
Anwar said the matter was touched upon in his speech at the MADANI Feast at Taman Koperasi Perpaduan 2, Tambun, Perak today.
Before returning, the Prime Minister said he had time to greet the local community and visit the Ar-Rashid Mosque which will be fully completed and functional soon.
Last Sunday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Legislation and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said new legislation to increase the level of digital security including provisions regarding procedures and enforcement of kill switches will be tabled in Parliament this October.
He said the law would, among other things, place responsibility on social media and Internet messaging service providers to play a role in dealing with online crimes such as fraud, cyber bullying, the dissemination of child sexual abuse material as well as sexual harassment and solicitation.
The day before, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission informed that social media and Internet messaging services that have at least eight million registered users in Malaysia need to apply for an Application Service Provision Class License under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588).
According to MCMC, the move will come into force on 1 January after a new regulatory framework on social media services and Internet messaging was introduced on 1 August.
Anwar said he also visited the fire site in Kampung Manjoi, Tambun.
“In addition to listening to the fire department’s explanation, I also had the opportunity to meet the victims of the fire incident and make a donation to ease the burden of the disaster.
Praying for them to persevere and be given patience when facing this test,” he said.
Through a post on his Facebook page yesterday, the Prime Minister said he was delivering an immediate donation of RM5,000 to each family involved in the fire of eight houses in the village.
Anwar, who is also a Member of Parliament for Tambun, said the donation was delivered by his Political Secretary Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim.
According to several posts on the Facebook page, the fire that happened around 5.40 pm yesterday destroyed eight houses, six of which were inhabited. No casualties were reported.
