KUALA LUMPUR: In the first 10 months of this year, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission received 27 cyberbullying-related complaints daily, a spike from 10 cases per day recorded in the same period last year, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

In total, from January to Nov 1, a total of 8,399 cyberbullying-related reports and complaints were received.

Fahmi said the significant increase highlighted the importance of enforcing social media licensing to create a safer online ecosystem for users of online platforms.

“On Facebook last year, online fraud cases reported to the Commercial Crime Investigation Department caused a total of RM432mil in losses to the Malaysian public.

“For sexual crimes, especially those involving children, on social media, there were 525 cases in 2023 while as of Nov 1 this year, 815 (content takedown) applications regarding child sexual abuse material on social media were made,” he told the Dewan Rakyat during the question-and-answer session.

At yesterday’s sitting, social media and Internet messaging platform providers were reminded that they will face hefty fines if they fail to obtain the class licence as required by the government, with the enforcement of the law starting on Jan 1, 2025.

Fahmi reiterated, however, that the platforms will not be shut down in the country if they do not obtain the licence once the law is in effect.

“For platforms that fail to obtain the licence, they will face legal action including a compound fine of up to RM250,000.

“Or the cases may be referred to the court, where the penalty could reach up to RM500,000 or jail of up to five years.

“Platform providers found guilty by the court could face fines of RM1,000 each day for operating without the licence,” he said.

He also reiterated that the licensing does not involve individual users but platform providers such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram.

“For platform providers that fail to obtain the licence by Jan 1, for now the government has no plans to shut them down,” he added.Fahmi said this when replying to a supplementary question from Kuala Krai MP of Perikatan Nasional, Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman, who asked about the impact of the law on users, especially smaller traders who depend on social media to market their businesses.

All social media and Internet messaging services, with at least eight million registered users in Malaysia, have been required to apply for the Class Licence for Application Service Providers beginning Aug 1, under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 or Act 588.

Fahmi said the move is aimed at ensuring that service providers are accountable and play a crucial role in creating a safer online ecosystem for users, such as to reduce fraud, sexual offences, cyberbullying and other online crimes.“Act 588 provides strong safeguards to balance regulatory needs with the protection of freedom of speech and access to information. The implementation of the licensing framework under Act 588 is designed to tackle online criminal issues without stifling innovation and development,” he added.

He said this when replying to a question from Hassan Abdul Karim, Pakatan Harapan’s MP for Pasir Gudang, on whether the move will affect the opportunities and freedom of Malaysian citizens to access modern life, which heavily depends on digital technology.Meanwhile, Fahmi has set a target to ensure at least 50% of the 70,000 workers in the creative industry, especially film, will contribute to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) in the next one or two years.

He said there were 3,925 creative industry workers, 44% male (1,709 individuals) and 56% female (2,216 individuals), who have contributed to the EPF’s i-Saraan scheme since 2010, with contributions of RM28.33mil for i-Saraan, RM1.48mil for the Special Government Incentive and RM231.94mil in the form of EPF savings, Bernama reported.

Fahmi made the comments at a media conference at Menara KWSP Kwasa Damansara after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between EPF, represented by its CEO Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn and National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas), represented by its CEO Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, in the presence of Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (strategic communications and creative industry) Nik Kamaruzaman Nik Husin, EPF chairman Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali and Finas chairman Datuk Kamil Othman.“So, we will mobilise machinery under Finas to raise understanding among producers so that they will sign their workers in their projects up as contributors so that they will have contributions in the EPF and this will be the foundation for a better future for them,” he said, adding that he would be contacting Radio Televisyen Malaysia to ensure producers would comply.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/20/cyberbullying-complaints-on-the-rise