Kuala lumpur: The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) is stepping up its collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to monitor and block deviant teaching content on digital platforms.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Rosli stated that the initiative involves utilizing provisions under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 to enable the swift removal of such content. She emphasized that the intensive monitoring encompasses platforms like Facebook, Threads, and WhatsApp to prevent the dissemination of beliefs that distort the faith, with action taken only against content declared 'haram' by religious authorities.

Marhamah highlighted that Jakim is actively tracking the trend of deviant teachings increasingly detected online due to technological advancements. Her comments were in response to an inquiry by Datuk Azman Nasrudin (PN-Padang Serai) during the Dewan Rakyat question-and-answer session regarding the government's measures to tackle the spread of heretical and dubious teachings on social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube.

Addressing the rising trend of heretical teachings concealed in motivational content, Marhamah mentioned that the government is proactively enhancing the digital skills of religious enforcement officers. This is aimed at detecting and preventing attempts to spread such teachings on social media.

She further noted that Jakim cadre officers at MCMC have undergone advanced training to keep pace with digital evolution, including potential applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI).