KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 — Approximately 3,670 pornographic websites were blocked from 2022 until February 15 this year, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said that for the same period, 1,993 pornographic social media content was taken down by platform providers following requests from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) based on the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588).
“Proactive monitoring action by MCMC, as well as cooperation with service providers, continue to be enhanced to ensure that pornographic advertisements on social media can be identified, blocked and taken down immediately,” he said in reply to Kapar MP Dr Halimah Ali during the Minister’s Question Time.
She had inquired about the ministry's policies and measures to address pornographic advertisements on social media, tabloids, and online mass media.
Fahmi added that the MCMC is committed to ensuring the safety and ethics of using online media do not violate the provisions of Act 588 and other related laws.
It has a special team that records public complaints, besides carrying out regular monitoring and enforcement actions based on information received.
“Once the Online Safety Act is in force, we will also emphasize to social media platform providers that they also have a duty of care to prevent prohibited advertisements and materials from being broadcast.
“This is one of the reasons why we need to license social media platform providers and obtain their cooperation,” he said.
The minister also reminded all parties, including MPs, not to spread unverified content because spreading defamatory material is also a crime.
Fahmi said the public must learn from previous incidents of spreading misinformation, including the incident where an individual was arrested late last night after he failed to appear in court to face charges for uploading false content involving the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Conference of Rulers.
— Bernama
