Electoral watchdog Bersih has joined calls for the government to halt plans to enforce social media licensing, calling the move “hasty” and open to abuse.
Despite the government’s justifications, Bersih noted that it has used draconian laws in the past, such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act and the Communications and Multimedia Act as political weapons to investigate and silence critics.
“Bersih emphasises that this new law could lead to abuse of power and disproportionate actions by the authorities, potentially denying justice to social media service providers, internet messaging service providers, and ultimately stifling freedom of speech […]
“Punitive laws such as the aforementioned acts, combined with the new legislation for licensing social media platforms, have great potential to be misused as a legal framework to restrict freedom of speech and expression from the public,” it said.
The group, in a statement today, backed proposals by the Centre for Independent Journalism and British NGO Article 19 for a social media council to be established instead, to facilitate meaningful dialogue with stakeholders.
It also backed their call for an independent committee, which would examine the root causes of abuses on social media platforms and formulate a more inclusive regulatory framework for the government to consider.
“Bersih emphasises that any process of forming this new law must be based on the principles of transparency, fairness, accountability, inclusivity, and respect for the fundamental rights of the people,” it added.
Tackling cybercrime
On Saturday, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said all social media and internet messaging services with more than eight million users in Malaysia must apply for a licence.
The new measure, to be introduced on Aug 1 and enforced beginning Jan 1 next year, aims to tackle cybercrime including online fraud, cyberbullying, and sexual crimes against children.
However, activists and civil society groups argued the new scheme could be abused to silence critics, just like other draconian laws in the country.
Despite this, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has assured that the framework will not restrict freedom of expression.
“Some use social media to abuse others to the extent that suicide was committed, sexually abusing children. Is this reasonable?
“When we say we must restrict (such crimes), they say don’t restrict freedom.
“Is it freedom to lie, freedom to steal, freedom to cause others to kill themselves, and so on?” he said in a speech this morning.