KL tightens screws in clampdown on harmful social media content

Jail time among penalties proposed in attempt to curb online scams, bullying

- Shannon Teoh

to amend the law and ensure that 50 per cent of the members in the commission (MCMC) are qualified, independent and from the industry and human rights NGOs to ensure checks and balances to these ministerial powers," he told The Straits Times. Mr Wong is the policy director of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), the same party which Prime Minister Anwar and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil hail from.

Malaysia's plans to license social media and messaging operators has been under deep scrutiny since June over proposals such as a kill switch to summarily take down content deemed egregious, forcing licensees to allow their content moderation and algorithm processes to be audited, as well as to have an entity domiciled in Malaysia that would be subject to penalties under local law.