Malaysia has implemented amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 to tackle online crimes such as paedophilia, scams, and gambling. The amendments, approved by Parliament in December 2022, introduce stricter penalties for various offenses and clarify the definition of 'grossly offensive' content. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil emphasized the importance of these changes in creating a safer internet environment.
Amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) are designed to combat online crimes such as paedophilia, scams, and gambling, according to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil. He stated that stricter penalties have been implemented for various offenses since February 11, as approved by Parliament last December.
Fahmi explained that certain actions previously categorized as offensive are now specifically defined as 'grossly offensive,' enhancing precision and narrowing the scope compared to previous regulations. He emphasized that the amendments provide clearer explanations that can be used as arguments by both the defense and prosecution in court, promoting greater transparency and mitigating misuse.The minister urged the public to exercise caution when consuming information, particularly on social media, and refrain from spreading unverified news. He advised relying on mainstream media as the primary source for accurate information. Fahmi cautioned against sharing or reposting content not reported by mainstream media or using different wording, as this could also constitute an offense. The amendments to Act 588 came into effect last Tuesday after being gazetted on February 7, aiming to create a safer and more sustainable internet ecosystem for users. On December 9, 2022, the Dewan Rakyat passed the Communications and Multimedia (Amendment) Bill 2022 through a bloc vote, with 59 Members of Parliament in favor, 40 against, one abstaining, and 122 absent. Fahmi, during the Bill's winding-up debate, underscored that Section 233 of Act 588 was retained to prevent network misuse, particularly for commercial purposes such as the sale of pornographic and paedophilic content.
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