Public free to speak on social media, but not on sensitive issues, says Fahmi

Members of the public are free to create and express creative content on social media platforms provided that it does not touch on sensitivities related to the 3Rs of race, religion and royalty, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil says. 

Fahmi said the ministry would continue to monitor such content with the cooperation of social media platform providers to ensure that it does not touch on 3R sensitivities.

"In terms of public security, the government will take swift action in the event of any public disturbance caused by such actions or problems through the spread of deviant teachings, militant extremism, and terrorism.

"In Malaysia, we do not prevent anyone from expressing themselves or voicing out, but we have laws, manners, and culture.

"It is important to remember that while we have the freedom to speak, we do not have the right to spread slander against anyone or spread fake information," he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Fahmi added that his ministry, particularly the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, did not often ask social media platform providers to delete content unless it received complaints from the public, or the content was found to touch on the 3Rs.

"Nearly 95% of content that is removed is due to the content creator violating the community guidelines (set by the platform provider). If this happens repeatedly, the platform itself will close the account," he said.