KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia hopes to collaborate with other Asean member states to improve the regulation of the communications and multimedia industry and work closely together as a regional bloc, says Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

In his opening remarks at the inaugural International Regulatory Conference (IRC 2024) here on Monday (May 6), he noted that as the chair of Asean in 2025, Malaysia aims to invigorate Asean-led forums and achieve significant milestones.

Fahmi said the regional regulatory framework on online safety is anticipated to facilitate coordination and collaboration in addressing common challenges related to online safety and building regional consensus on safeguarding the digital environment.

"To address current and future challenges and trends from within and outside the region, we propose to develop an inspiring, inclusive, and forward-looking post-2025 vision for the Asean Community, spanning the next 20 years,” he said.

Fahmi said the Malaysian government has introduced the Cybersecurity Bill 2024 and is finalising the regulatory framework for online services platforms, particularly social media and internet messaging providers.

"Once regulated, these platforms will be required to observe Malaysian laws and are expected to adhere to certain conduct requirements. These include the requirement to protect young individuals by proposing a restriction on social media usage for those under 13,” he said. – Bernama 

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/06/malaysia-calls-for-regional-collaboration-to-regulate-communications-and-multimedia-industry