Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has issued a directive for all government-related official events to be conducted on a moderate scale, according to MADANI Government spokesperson Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi, who also serves as the Communications Minister, revealed that the prime minister's directive was discussed during a Cabinet meeting following deliberations at the National Economic Action Council (MTEN) meeting. The prime minister emphasized the need for moderation in official events, workshops, and large-scale activities organized by ministries, agencies, statutory bodies, government-linked investment companies (GLICs), and government-linked companies (GLCs).

Fahmi reported that each ministry has been briefed by the Finance Ministry on aligning operating expenditures with the government's priorities. Amidst the global supply crisis, guidelines have been issued, and further details will be provided by ministry secretaries-general in coordination with the Chief Secretary to the Government and the Treasury secretary-general.

The prime minister also expressed a desire for better coordination of the MADANI Adopted Village Programme, especially involving members of parliament. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who also serves as the Rural and Regional Development Minister, suggested aligning activities at rural community centers with the National Information Dissemination Centres (NADI) managed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

On the topic of social media usage among teenagers, Fahmi mentioned that the Communications Ministry plans to introduce an electronic know-your-customer (e-KYC) system for verifying users' identities and ages. This initiative aims to ensure that children under 16 do not independently own social media accounts, allowing parents to create and monitor these accounts. The primary goal is to enforce proper parental control and prevent young children from interacting with unknown adults.

Prime Minister Anwar had previously stated the need for a comprehensive study involving all stakeholders on the proposal to set an age limit for social media use among teenagers. This measure is deemed crucial for better regulation and protecting young users from negative digital influences.