KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) have been approved by the Cabinet and are set to be tabled in Parliament next month, as announced by Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Teo highlighted that the amendments take into account the evolving technology landscape and the increased reliance on digital platforms to mitigate cyber threats. This includes tackling the spread of false information online, which poses significant risks to users. The statement was made in response to a question from Riduan Rubin (Independent-Tenom) during a Dewan Rakyat session, addressing whether the ministry plans to develop comprehensive and up-to-date laws to combat misinformation.
Furthermore, Teo revealed that the government intends to introduce an Online Safety Bill targeting criminal activities on social media and the proliferation of fake news. A Special Task Force has been established to tackle Fake News and issues related to
race, religion, and royalty (3R), involving collaboration among various agencies including the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the Information Department, RTM, and the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama).
In terms of enforcement, Teo reported that social media platforms have removed 21,156 pieces of false content from 2022 until November 15, using their community standards for assessment. Additionally, 198 cases involving fake elements have been investigated, with five prosecutions leading to convictions.
Addressing concerns about the rise of fake accounts, Teo mentioned that one of the proposed amendments introduces a new section to bolster enforcement efforts. If the amendment is approved, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will be empowered to request user data from social media platforms, aiding in their investigations. She also stressed the need for platforms like Meta, ByteDance, and Google to enhance account creation guidelines, potentially requiring users to provide pho
ne numbers.