Latest news with #PrintingPressesandPublicationsAct1984
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Ministry mulling stricter social media rules for minors
STRICTER enforcement measures, including a possible ban on social media accounts for children under 13, are being studied by the Communications Ministry, says Fahmi Fadzil (pic). The minister said most platforms already do not allow children below 13 to have an account. 'Unfortunately, if you visit schools and ask pupils under 13 whether they have TikTok accounts, many will say yes. That alone is a breach, acknowledged even by TikTok,' he told the Dewan Rakyat. He said the ministry is exploring ways to improve enforcement of the age restriction, noting that protecting children online is a shared responsibility between the government, online platforms and parents. Between Jan 1, 2022, and July 15, 2025, service providers removed 1,443 pieces of harmful or extreme content involving children following requests from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). To better prepare youth for today's digital world, Fahmi said the ministry is introducing digital literacy modules for teens aged 13 and above. 'These modules aim to help our teenagers navigate the information landscape and remain vigilant. Not everything on social media is true.' Separately, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the ministry is reviewing five laws to close legal gaps and strengthen enforcement against child pornography. The laws are the Film Censorship Act 2002, the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, the Evidence Act 1950 and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. The proposed amendments will address digital evidence admissibility, jurisdiction in international cases and enhanced online monitoring. Between 2021 and June 2025, Shamsul Anuar said the police investigated 287 cases involving the production, ownership, distribution, access, downloading and uploading of child pornography. These were investigated under Sections 4 to 10 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. 'About 90% of offenders were charged and convicted. This is a serious matter as it involves children,' he said in response to questions on the issue.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Home Ministry bans two books for undesirable content
PUTRAJAYA: The Home Ministry has issued a prohibition order against two publications deemed potentially harmful to public morality, effective July 1 and 3, through the Federal Government Gazette. In a statement today, the ministry said the ban was issued under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 [Act 301], as a preventive measure to control the distribution of inappropriate content that poses a threat to society. The banned books are "Chase Me" by Tessa Bailey, gazetted under the Printing Presses and Publications (Control of Undesirable Publications) Order (No. 13) 2025, and "Ammar Zahrain: The Obsessive Husband" by Nssignature, gazetted under Order (No. 14) 2025, which takes effect on July 3, 2025. "The prohibition order serves as a mechanism of control and prevention before any threat or harm materialises. "At the same time, it ensures public protection and raises awareness about publications deemed undesirable and unsuitable for general readership," the statement read. The Home Ministry said that under subsection 7(1) of Act 301, the printing, importation, production, reproduction, publication, sale, issue, circulation, distribution, or possession of all banned publications is strictly prohibited in Malaysia. "All parties are reminded that compliance with the Prohibition Order is mandatory, as any offence related to prohibited publications may result in legal action," the ministry said. or through the Federal Legislation Portal.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Home Ministry bans two books over potential harm to morality
PUTRAJAYA: The Home Ministry has issued a prohibition order against two publications deemed potentially harmful to public morality, effective July 1 and 3, 2025, as published in the Federal Government Gazette. In a statement on Tuesday (July 29), the ministry said the ban was issued under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 [Act 301], as a preventive measure to control the distribution of inappropriate content that poses a threat to society. The banned books are "Chase Me" by Tessa Bailey, gazetted under the Printing Presses and Publications (Control of Undesirable Publications) Order (No. 13) 2025, and "Ammar Zahrain: The Obsessive Husband" by Nssignature, gazetted under Order (No. 14) 2025, which takes effect on July 3, 2025. "The prohibition order serves as a mechanism of control and prevention before any threat or harm materialises. "At the same time, it ensures public protection and raises awareness about publications deemed undesirable and unsuitable for general readership," the statement read. The Home Ministry said that under subsection 7(1) of Act 301, the printing, importation, production, reproduction, publication, sale, issue, circulation, distribution, or possession of all banned publications is strictly prohibited in Malaysia. "All parties are reminded that compliance with the Prohibition Order is mandatory, as any offence related to prohibited publications may result in legal action," the ministry said. Further information on publications banned under Act 301 can be accessed via the official Home Ministry website at or through the Federal Legislation Portal. – Bernama
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Five laws being reviewed to plug loopholes on child porn
KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry is reviewing the need to amend five laws to increase penalties and close any legal loopholes related to child pornography, especially through digital means. Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the laws that could potentially be amended include the Film Censorship Act 2002, Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, Evidence Act 1950 and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. "We recognise that changes are occurring, which is why the police are committed to strengthening enforcement against child sexual exploitation crimes, especially those involving the possession, distribution, or production of child pornography. "These crimes are not only abhorrent but also have long-term impacts on the physical and psychological wellbeing of victims," he said," he said during the Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat. The potential amendments to the Film Censorship Act 2002 are to prohibit the possession of child pornography in any form, including digital, and to increase the penalties, while amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 aim to expand the definition of "publication" to include the digital dissemination of child sexual exploitation content and impose stricter penalties. Meanwhile, the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 could be strengthened to expand definitions, international jurisdiction, and provide for harsher penalties for repeat offenders. "The Evidence Act 1950 could be strengthened to include the admissibility of digital evidence and reports such as CyberTipline, which is an online reporting channel established by the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in the United States, to receive complaints related to online child sexual exploitation. "The Penal Code could be expanded to include the definition of offences related to digital sexual exploitation and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 could be enhanced by tightening controls and monitoring of online distribution of child sexual exploitation material by platform providers," he said. He said the police had investigated 287 cases related to the production, possession, distribution, access, downloading, and uploading of child pornography under Sections 4 to 10 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 between 2021 and June 2025. Of these 287 cases, or about 90 per cent, have resulted in prosecution and conviction. He was responding to supplementary questions by Datuk Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin) and Datuk Abd Ghani Ahmad (PN-Jerlun), who asked about the matter.
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Govt to review five laws to beef up efforts to fight child porn, Dewan Rakyat told
KUALA LUMPUR: Five laws under the Home Ministry's purview will possibly be reviewed as part of efforts to combat child pornography, the Dewan Rakyat was told. Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said this includes the Film Censorship Act 2002, Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, Evidence Act 1950 and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. 'We are looking at amendments that focus on increasing the penalty and closing loopholes when it comes to child pornography,' he said during question time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 29). He said amendments also look into improving the admissibility of digital evidence, jurisdiction over international cases, and improving monitoring efforts online, among others. 'All the said Acts are reviewed from time to time to align with current developments. We cannot remain static especially since technology is expanding at a fast rate,' he added. Between 2021 to June 2025, Shamsul Anuar said the police have investigated 287 cases involving the production, ownership, distribution, access, downloading and uploading of child pornography. The cases were investigated based on Sections 4 to 10 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. 'Of the number, 90% have been charged and convicted. We are always monitoring. 'This is a very serious matter as it involves children,' he said. He also said the police, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and other relevant agencies are actively monitoring online platforms to detect and curb the spread of obscene content. 'MCMC will block and remove these materials based on reports received by the police,' he said. Shamsul Anuar was responding to supplementary questions by Datuk Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin) and Datuk Abd Ghani Ahmad (PN-Jerlun) who asked about this.
