Putatan: Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has called on the new leadership of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) to carry out their duties responsibly and make the organisation a more sustainable self-regulatory body for the media industry. Fahmi said he believes that if MMC consolidates all views and channels them to the government, it will help ensure that Malaysia’s media industry becomes freer and more professional.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi expressed gratitude that, after more than five decades, the MMC has finally been established, with its first Annual General Meeting held yesterday. He noted, “So today, not only has the Malaysian Media Council Act 2025 been passed and come into force, but the team forming the first council has also been elected. I hope they will perform their duties well. Do your duty without fear or favour.”
Fahmi emphasized that the media in Malaysia should become not only freer but also more professional, ethical, and sustainable, given the challenges posed by the proliferation of social media. He conveyed these views to reporters after attending the Hari Bersama Komuniti dan Temu Anak Muda programme at the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) in Kampung Kopimpinan, Putatan.
Also present at the event was Communications Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa. The MMC, an independent body, has been established as a self-regulatory mechanism for the national media industry and plays a crucial role in promoting journalism ethics and media freedom. In its inaugural AGM, 12 individuals were elected to the MMC Board, representing media companies, journalists, media associations, members of the public, and non-governmental organisations.
Fahmi also highlighted that the Communications Ministry would work to ensure the prompt resolution of matters related to MMC’s finances. He mentioned that while some administrative aspects were previously unresolved, they are now close to completion, allowing the allocated funds to be channelled to MMC soon.
Earlier in the day, Fahmi inspected a telecommunications tower in Kampung Keronggu, Inanam, to evaluate the effectiveness of Phase 1 of the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) project in enhancing communications coverage in the area. According to a statement by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the communications tower now provides 4G coverage for CelcomDigi, Maxis, and U Mobile users, with an average speed of 90 Mbps through Starlink while awaiting fibre optic connection implementation.
This initiative benefits over 500 residents and highlights significant improvement in Internet accessibility in Sabah, which now stands at 96.81 per cent compared to 73.41 per cent before JENDELA’s implementation. Service providers have also been urged to increase capacity to ensure coverage quality meets MCMC standards.