Malaysia has directed social media giants Meta (Facebook) and TikTok to develop plans to tackle a surge in offensive online content. The Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and police reported a significant increase in flagged content, with over 50,000 cases in the first quarter of 2024 alone, compared to 43,000 for all of 2023.
Authorities are particularly concerned about posts related to race, religion, and royalty, all sensitive topics in Malaysia's multicultural society.
During a recent meeting with Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, both companies were instructed to enhance monitoring efforts, including removing scam and illegal gambling content. While no specific deadline or penalties were announced, the government did express dissatisfaction with the companies' past responsiveness to takedown requests.
Critics raise concerns about censorship under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who took office in 2022, amid a perceived rise in conservatism. The government denies these claims.
