ACKNOWLEDGING that the intention of the Cyber Security Act which came into force on Monday (Aug 26) is intended to tackle online scams, cyberbullying or hackers who threaten our public services and national sovereignty, questions are raised as to why the Malaysia Madani government did not improve in areas where existing legislative frameworks might be lacking.

The updated letter from major tech companies, including Google, Meta, Amazon, and Apple, highlights concerns about the potential negative impact of this licencing requirement on innovation.

While the letter’s tone has been moderated, it continues to emphasise the need for self-regulation by platforms and the necessity for careful consideration of the implications of new regulations.

Given the concerns raised, we ask the government to clarify the specific reasons for introducing a new Act to compel social media licencing.

Is there a pressing need for this new legislation, or could the objectives be achieved by strengthening the existing regulatory framework?

If there are shortcomings in the current framework, we would like to understand why a new Act is deemed necessary rather than enhancing the mechanisms already in place.

The existing framework for social media monitoring has proven effective in many areas. Instead of establishing a new licencing requirement, could the government explore ways to utilise and improve the current system to address any identified gaps?

This approach might provide a more streamlined and less disruptive solution, ensuring that innovation is not adversely affected while maintaining a healthy oversight and a reduction in costs which eventually is passed down to customers.

We encourage the government to engage in further dialogue with stakeholders, including tech companies, to address these concerns and explore solutions that balance regulatory needs with the promotion of a dynamic digital environment.

Effective social media monitoring in today’s digital landscape is important as citizens desire be assured of a safe and accountable online environment.

It is crucial, and we support the need for measures that uphold these principles. However, we question the rationale behind the Malaysian government’s mandatory execution of social media licencing requirement as it opens more questions than answers. - Aug 27, 2024

Neow Choo Seong is the MCA Youth Information Chief.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.

Main image: The Star

https://focusmalaysia.my/social-media-licencing-requirement-could-existing-framework-be-enhanced/