The Malaysian government is considering owning its social media platform. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil expressed fears about United States-based tech giants. He felt that these platforms were not doing enough to ensure the safety of Malaysians. Fahmi spoke during the ‘Himpunan Pembebasan Palestine’ rally on 4 August.
Inadequate safety measures are in place, while platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X profit from Malaysians. Fahmi said that Facebook alone pulled in US$600 million from Malaysia last year but questioned their commitment to user safety in Malaysia. The government is to study and assess the feasibility of developing a local social media platform.
Though Fahmi admitted that the development of a new platform is not easy, he mentioned some countries are trying to do so. The Malaysian government is also studying this possibility. The Malaysian government recently stipulated that social media and messaging platforms need to obtain a license.
Beginning on 1 January 2025, any platform with more than eight million users will have to get registered to continue operating in Malaysia. Earlier, Fahmi assured the government that there was no intention to block or ban social media sites. However, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi made a warning.
License applications would start on the 1st of August, and those platforms that do not apply might face a ban. Fahmi also shared an interesting contribution to the proposal. Local celebrity host Datuk Aznil Nawawi supported the idea of a Malaysian government social media platform. This happened after Meta’s move to remove posts related to Palestine by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar’s posts condemned the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh by Israel. Meta took down the posts and issued a reason: “Dangerous individuals and organizations”. The Malaysian government will meet Meta representatives this week to discuss the matter further.
Developing a Malaysian government’s social media platform aims to enhance online safety for its residents.
