The Malaysian government has named eight social media and online messaging platforms that are required to obtain operating licenses under the country's Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 by the end of the year, Malaysian Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said in an interview this week.
Fahmi told the New Straits Times that the platforms include Meta's WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter), Google's YouTube, Pavel Durov's Telegram, Tencent's WeChat and ByteDance's TikTok.
He said these platforms had reached the threshold of having at least 8 million users in the country, and that they were not specifically targeted by the Malaysian government.
Fahmi said the Malaysian Ministry of Communications is currently engaging with these platforms to explain and emphasize the need for the requirements.
According to Fahmi, some of the platforms have objected, citing concerns about stifling innovation and the challenges of setting up local offices, but the Malaysian government has stood by its decision.
Fahmi suggested that these platforms should comply with local laws given the profits they earn and the importance of the Malaysian market.
He cited Meta as an example, saying the U.S. tech giant earns about 2.5 billion ringgit (US$554 million) annually from the Malaysian market through advertising.
Fahmi also said that many platforms have indicated their willingness to comply with the licensing requirements.
"Telegram representatives came last week, and our engagement was very positive. I met Google last week and I am meeting Meta this week. This kind of engagement is ongoing,"he revealed.
In July this year, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced that in order to combat cyberbullying and disinformation, all social media and Internet information service platforms with more than 8 million registered users in the country would be required to apply for an application operating license from the government between August 1 and December 31, or else they would not be allowed to continue operating in the country from January 1, 2025 onwards.
The MCMC said the new framework requires social media and online communication platforms to comply with the law and cooperate with the government in combating cybercrime activities such as fraud, bullying, and sexual violence against children.
In its statement, the MCMC said the new regulatory framework only applies to platforms that meet the licensing criteria and does not involve users.
In addition, Fahmi said earlier this month that the Malaysian government has no intention of following Australia's lead in enacting new laws to restrict the age of social media users.
He revealed that the Malaysian authorities are shifting their focus to licensing social media platforms from January 1 next year.
WhatsApp, for example, already requires users to be 16 years old and above, and Fahmi said the Malaysian government would prioritize ensuring that these platforms effectively enforce age verification rules.
