KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 — The Communications and Digital Ministry (KKD) will hold discussions with relevant ministries and agencies regarding TikTok Shop’s regulatory aspects, said its minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Following a meeting between Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching and TikTok representatives on Thursday (November 2), the ministry received basic information about the platform’s demographics and the goods sold on it.
“I asked for follow-up discussions as we need detailed information. After this, we will discuss with other ministries and agencies because KKD and MCMC’s (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission) jurisdiction mainly regulates network usage.
“Other matters fall under the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry’s jurisdiction, so we discuss before finalising what the government will do,” he said.
Fahmi was speaking to the press after presenting Deepavali’s contributions to the Indian community in Lembah Pantai today.
On October 7, he said the government will look into the action taken by the Indonesian government to ban e-commerce transactions on TikTok before devising appropriate measures in Malaysia.
Fahmi said he received complaints from members of the public who expressed concern about the action, and at the same time, several large stores also raised issues related to price competition for products sold through the platform.
At today’s ceremony, the minister said MCMC also held discussions with TikTok operators after receiving complaints from certain parties, who were restricted from going live on the platform to discuss the Palestinian issue.
“In my opinion, TikTok’s response to the matter was embarrassing (because) if that is the answer, it did not give a good sign. MCMC also expressed several regulatory concerns, so I have asked for one final meeting with TikTok before we make our decisions,” he said.
Despite TikTok’s cooperation, the company has yet to appoint representatives in Malaysia.
“Now we have to wait for officials from Singapore, the Philippines, and others, which is not conducive.
“This cannot go on because it is causing delay, and as I said earlier, the government, specifically KKD and MCMC, are looking into ways to enhance regulations,” Fahmi said.
Speaking in his capacity as Lembah Pantai MP, he said the Deepavali contributions have been distributed to 1,000 families, compared to the previous 700, due to the positive response from residents in the area.
— Bernama
