PUTRAJAYA: The enforcement date for the licensing of social media platforms remains set for Jan 1, 2025, says Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Fahmi emphasised that the implementation of the licensing system is non-negotiable.

“This cannot be changed. Otherwise, it will just be a promise, but no action will be taken,” he told a post-Cabinet meeting press conference here yesterday.

Fahmi, who also serves as the spokesperson for the unity government, expressed his support for the outcome of a meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the chief executive officer of TikTok in Lima, Peru.

During the meeting, TikTok was advised to cooperate fully with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Communications Ministry to ensure a safer online environment, including on the TikTok platform.

“On the issue of cyberbullying, we see that currently, many cases of cyberbullying are happening on several platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.

“As for TikTok, I have not yet received any reports showing results, other than the assurances they gave to the Prime Minister.

“This is one of the reasons why we have decided to implement the social media platform licensing system starting Jan 1, 2025,” said Fahmi.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that TikTok had given its assurance to cooperate with Malaysian authorities, including the Communications Ministry, MCMC and Bank Negara Malaysia, to tackle cyberbullying and online scams.

This followed a meeting with a TikTok delegation led by its CEO Shou Zi Chew in Lima, where several key issues were discussed.

“During the meeting, I raised several matters, including the implementation of a regulatory framework to license social media and Internet messaging services starting from Jan 1 next year.

“I also touched on issues such as cyberbullying, scams, and the culture of defamation in Malaysia, which has been rampant on TikTok,” said Anwar, adding that they also discussed the collaboration between the government and TikTok in Malaysia.

TikTok has also confirmed that they will continue to invest in Malaysia and support the country’s role as chair of Asean in 2025, said Anwar.

On a separate matter, Fahmi addressed the recent appointment of Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar as the new Attorney General, confirming that the appointment was made in accordance with Article 145(1) of the Federal Constitution.

He said His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia has consented to the appointment of Mohd Dusuki, effective from Nov 12.Fahmi noted that Mohd Dusuki’s appointment was based on his extensive experience in the prosecution field, having served for 31 years in the Attorney General’s Chambers.

On Thursday, Masjid Tanah MP Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin questioned during the Budget 2025 debate whether Mohd Dusuki’s appointment had any links to the role he played in the discharge of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the Yayasan Akalbudi case.

Fahmi also said the Madani government remains committed to reforming the Attorney General’s functions, with steps being taken to study the separation of the roles of Attorney General and public prosecutor, which began this year with empirical studies from Australia and Canada.

“By 2025, several engagement sessions with relevant stakeholders will be held, and an interim report from the study will be presented to the Cabinet in the near future,” said Fahmi.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/16/social-media-platform-licensing-non-negotiable