SepangThe Unity Government has no plans to delay or postpone the implementation of the regulatory framework and licensing requirements for social media and internet messaging app service providers, which are scheduled to come into effect on January 1 next year.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the implementation of the licensing framework will proceed as scheduled in order to achieve the government's goals and proactive measures to protect users' interests and safety.
“We are not going to delay,” he said in response to an open letter recently sent by the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the issue.
In an open letter posted on its website, the group reportedly urged the government to postpone plans to require all social media and internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users in the country to apply for licenses.
The AIC, which comprises Google, Meta, X, Apple, Amazon and Grab, argued that the proposed licensing regime would be “unworkable” for the industry and could stifle innovation by placing undue burdens on companies.
However, e-hailing service provider Grab reportedly distanced itself from AIC's open letter to the Prime Minister, saying it had no involvement in it.
Fahmi also said the letter was odd because not only the number but also the content of AIC member company logos are constantly changing.
“I have confirmed that they (AIC) sent a letter on August 23, followed by a correction letter on August 26, and then another letter this morning.
“They are the same letters, but the first letter has many logos, the second has six logos and the last letter has no logos at all. The first letter said it was 'not viable' but now they have changed their view,” he said.
Fahmi also called on the AIC to discuss the issue directly with the government.
“We are ready to meet with the AIC. MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Corporation) also convened a meeting with the AIC in May last year but when asked for their feedback, the AIC asked for it a month before they could submit their feedback and then postponed it not once but multiple times,” he said.
When asked whether the implementation of the regulatory framework would discourage foreign companies from operating in Malaysia, Fahmi said only that “if they want to do business in this country, they must respect and obey Malaysian laws.”