Latest news with #Fahmi
Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Telegram ignored over half of Malaysia's takedown requests, says Fahmi
Fahmi says Telegram has shown the lowest compliance rate among all major social media platforms in Malaysia, acting on fewer than half of MCMC's takedown requests. – The Borneo Post photo KUALA LUMPUR (June 28): Malaysian authorities are escalating pressure on Telegram after accusing the messaging platform of routinely ignoring requests to take down harmful content — a move that has led to a rare civil suit and threats of stricter regulation. In a Free Malaysia Today report, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said Telegram has shown the lowest compliance rate among all major social media platforms in Malaysia, acting on fewer than half of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) takedown requests. 'I have ordered MCMC to call Telegram for a meeting next week to discuss the issue,' Fahmi told reporters today after an event in Pantai Dalam. The remarks come days after MCMC filed a civil lawsuit against Telegram and two of its prominent channels — Edisi Siasat and Edisi Khas — for allegedly disseminating content that could erode trust in public institutions and threaten social order. The regulator said the two channels had published material in breach of Malaysia's Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and that this was the first time legal action had been taken against a social media platform with a local licence. Telegram is registered as an application service provider (class) in Malaysia. 'The move follows Telegram's serious failure to address content that has been repeatedly reported to it, despite multiple negotiation and cooperation efforts by MCMC,' the commission said in a statement. Fahmi added that MCMC had flagged over 1.18 million pieces of harmful content across platforms as of June 24 this year. Only 173,642 of those were removed. 'Of this number, 51 per cent of the content removed were online gambling ads, while 24 per cent were online scams,' he said. 'We will take strict action to ensure Malaysians do not become victims of cybercrime.' While MCMC has no power to directly remove content itself, it can issue requests and expects platform providers to comply. Fahmi stressed that the platforms ultimately bear the responsibility for restricting access to such material in Malaysia. – Malay Mail fahmi fadzil harmful content take down request telegram
The Sun
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Government reviews 13MP after thorough discussions, says Fahmi
KUALA LUMPUR: The government's decision to review the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) was not made hastily but followed detailed discussions over the past two weeks, according to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He explained that the process began with a draft presented by the Economy Ministry secretary-general to the Cabinet. 'We've actually discussed this. In my press conference a few weeks ago, I mentioned that the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) had issued a directive to review the draft presented by the Economy Ministry secretary-general,' Fahmi said during a press conference after launching the Nadi Aspirasi Nasional Bersama Anak Muda (NANBA) programme. He emphasised that all policies and decisions must first undergo Cabinet scrutiny. Last Friday, ministries were instructed to study the draft and submit feedback. A special Cabinet meeting was then held to consolidate these inputs, leading to further refinements. Fahmi, who also serves as the MADANI government spokesman, noted that the review process revealed several areas requiring adjustments, prompting the Cabinet to assign Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah to oversee the Economy Ministry's functions. The decision comes after former Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli questioned the review, calling it a rushed response to social media criticism. However, Fahmi reiterated that the move was procedural and aimed at ensuring the 13MP aligns with national priorities. The 13MP is set to be tabled in Parliament on July 31.
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Telegram acted on less than half of takedown requests
KUALA LUMPUR: Telegram has the lowest compliance rate among major social media platforms in Malaysia, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said that the platform acted on fewer than half of the takedown requests submitted by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). "Telegram has acted on less than 50 per cent of the takedown requests we submitted. "Among all platforms, they have shown the lowest level of cooperation with the Malaysian government," he said at a press conference after attending the Nadi Aspirasi Nasional Bersama Anak Muda (Nanba) Programme at IWK Eco Park here. He said this days after MCMC filed a civil lawsuit against Telegram and two of its high-profile channels, Edisi Siasat and Edisi Khas, over content allegedly published in breach of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. The regulator said the material disseminated on the two channels could undermine trust in public institutions and threaten social order. MCMC described the lawsuit as a landmark move, marking the first time legal action has been taken against a social media platform with a local licence. Telegram is currently registered as an application service provider (class) in Malaysia. "The move follows Telegram's serious failure to address content that has been repeatedly reported to it, despite multiple negotiation and cooperation efforts by MCMC," the commission said in a statement. Fahmi said the platform's lack of responsiveness is particularly concerning as it is increasingly used to spread illicit content such as online gambling ads and pirated films or TV shows. He added Telegram representatives are expected to meet with MCMC in Kuala Lumpur this week to resume discussions on compliance and enforcement. "Telegram operates with a small global team estimated at around 50 employees, despite having roughly one billion users. "They rely heavily on automation and AI for moderation, but differences in legal frameworks between countries cannot justify ignoring Malaysian regulations," he said. Between Jan 1 and June 26 this year, MCMC received 188,528 complaints involving various digital platforms, of which 173,642 resulted in content takedowns. Online gambling made up the largest portion, followed by scams, bullying and harassment, and obscene content involving children.
Malaysian Reserve
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Malaysian Reserve
Fahmi: Only platform providers can block social media content and accounts
KUALA LUMPUR — The act of blocking or removing social media content or accounts can only be carried out by the platform providers themselves, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said the government has no authority to instruct social media platform providers to take such actions, which are only carried out if the content or account is found to have violated the law. 'When a piece of content or an account is taken down or blocked, it means the platform acknowledges and complies with existing laws and believes that the content has breached those laws,' he said at a press conference after launching the Nadi Aspirasi Nasional Bersama Anak Muda (NANBA) programme here today. Also present were Community Communications Department (J-KOM) director-general Datuk Ismail Yusop and Batu MP P. Prabakaran, who is also chairman of the Special Task Force Committee for the Indian Community Transformation Unit (MITRA). Earlier, in his speech, Fahmi said 173,642 pieces of content had been taken down by social media platform providers from Jan 1 until yesterday. Fahmi, who is also Lembah Pantai MP, said 51 per cent, or more than 90,000, of the total involved online gambling, while over 43,000 were scam-related, with the remainder linked to other criminal activities. He said Facebook was identified as the platform with the highest number of online gambling and scam advertisements, followed by TikTok, while Telegram was found to be the weakest in managing scam-related issues. 'Of the content requested for removal on Telegram, half were scams, but the platform did not take down all of them. So we need to be firm with these platforms. 'Telegram representatives will be in Kuala Lumpur this week to continue discussions with MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission), covering, among others, scams, online gambling, child sexual abuse material, prostitution content, and copyrighted films or TV episodes previously accessible via various Telegram channels,' he said. However, Fahmi noted that Telegram operates with limited human resources — around 50 personnel — despite having more than one billion user accounts worldwide. Meanwhile, the NANBA programme, inspired by the Tamil word for 'friend', is a strategic J-KOM initiative that reflects the MADANI government's commitment to strengthening ties with the Indian community, particularly youth, while expanding the inclusive and effective delivery of government information. The programme also serves as an effective two-way communication platform to enhance public access to information related to policies, initiatives and various opportunities offered by the government, in addition to showcasing ongoing efforts to deliver services and information directly to the people. — BERNAMA
Daily Express
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Telegram ignored over half of Malaysia's takedown requests, says communications minister
Published on: Saturday, June 28, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 28, 2025 By: Malay Mail Text Size: Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said Telegram has shown the lowest compliance rate among all major social media platforms in Malaysia, acting on fewer than half of MCMC's takedown requests. — Bernama pic Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian authorities are escalating pressure on Telegram after accusing the messaging platform of routinely ignoring requests to take down harmful content — a move that has led to a rare civil suit and threats of stricter regulation. In a Free Malaysia Today report, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said Telegram has shown the lowest compliance rate among all major social media platforms in Malaysia, acting on fewer than half of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) takedown requests. 'I have ordered MCMC to call Telegram for a meeting next week to discuss the issue,' Fahmi told reporters today after an event in Pantai Dalam. The remarks come days after MCMC filed a civil lawsuit against Telegram and two of its prominent channels — Edisi Siasat and Edisi Khas — for allegedly disseminating content that could erode trust in public institutions and threaten social order. The regulator said the two channels had published material in breach of Malaysia's Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and that this was the first time legal action had been taken against a social media platform with a local licence. Telegram is registered as an application service provider (class) in Malaysia. 'The move follows Telegram's serious failure to address content that has been repeatedly reported to it, despite multiple negotiation and cooperation efforts by MCMC,' the commission said in a statement. Fahmi added that MCMC had flagged over 1.18 million pieces of harmful content across platforms as of June 24 this year. Only 173,642 of those were removed. 'Of this number, 51 per cent of the content removed were online gambling ads, while 24 per cent were online scams,' he said. 'We will take strict action to ensure Malaysians do not become victims of cybercrime.' While MCMC has no power to directly remove content itself, it can issue requests and expects platform providers to comply. Fahmi stressed that the platforms ultimately bear the responsibility for restricting access to such material in Malaysia. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
