Ministry denies double standards in efforts to curb social media misuse

The communications and digital ministry says there are no double standards or favouritism in the government’s efforts to curb social media misuse.

It said in a written reply on the Parliament website that the government was committed to ensuring that suitable action is taken against individuals or parties, regardless of background and political creed, if they are found to have committed an offence.

The ministry said enforcement action would be taken based on the provision of existing laws and the number of complaints from the public and affected parties, without any bias.

"Restrictions will not be imposed on any individual to keep them from expressing their feelings and thoughts as long as they are within legal boundaries. 

"This is to ensure that social media is not misused to the point where it threatens the peace and stability of the country," it said in reply to Khairil Nizam Khirudin (PN-Jerantut) who asked whether the government was biased or practised double standards.

The ministry added that 176 complaints were received and investigated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) from 2020 to 2022 over offences under Section 233 of the MCMC Act 1998.

Of the total, 22 cases were charged in court, with 19 cases completed and the perpetrators sentenced to fines totalling RM111,000, while three cases are still in trial.

"The MCMC also reported that 217 Twitter account were found to have uploaded pornographic content and all the accounts and websites have been blocked," the ministry said.

The ministry also said that bans on social media platforms were not the ultimate solution, as dark side social media issues are closely related to social problems that require a holistic approach.

It said efforts to curb and prevent negative influences, including pornography and social media misuse especially among the youth, were a shared responsibility and required constant effort by all parties, especially parents and guardians.