KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 29 — Any request through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to social media platforms to remove content is made to protect the people from being influenced by false information, said Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.
However, she rejected claims that the government arbitrarily takes action against any individual’s social media accounts, including Opposition politicians who criticise the government.
“It is true that the ministry, via MCMC, has made requests to platform providers, including Meta or TikTok, to remove content that contains fake news or fraudulent elements. This is to protect the rights of the people so the general public is not influenced by false information.
“(But) if it is said that all content that is removed is because it criticises the government, Yang Berhormat Muar (MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman) uploaded a video on TikTok criticising me, why did I not ask TikTok to take it down or block his account?
“Many more accounts owned by Opposition Members of Parliament can still be accessed on TikTok, such as Putrajaya MP (Datuk Radzi Jidin’s) whose account Muar claims has been blocked on TikTok when in fact the Putrajaya MP’s TikTok account is still there,” Teo said.
The deputy minister was responding to Pokok Sena MP Datuk Ahmad Saad’s speech on the supposed double standard from the government towards media content, and why there is no firm action from the ministry against provocative statements by Pakatan Harapan leaders during a special chambers session of the Dewan Rakyat today.
Meanwhile, she said the government does not compromise on any form of religious and racial provocations.
Action will be taken against any party that incites provocations related to sensitive issues, especially religion and race.
— Bernama
