Taufiq Johari (PH-Sungai Petani) said election campaign offences on social media currently needed to be reported to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) rather than the EC.

The PKR MP said the campaign for last year’s general election (GE15) saw slanderous and hateful content spread through social media, specifically on TikTok.

Under Section 4a of the Election Offences Act 1954, those who have been convicted of making a statement that promotes ill-will, discontent or hostility between people of the same race or different races have to vacate their seats if elected.

“This year, six states are set to hold their elections. Campaigns that are slanderous or cause racial hatred must be monitored and stopped,” Taufiq said during the debate on the Supply Bill 2023 at the committee stage in the Dewan Rakyat.

“I’m aware that such cases are not subject to the Election Offences Act 1954. However, I think there needs to be a mechanism to handle this issue.

“There needs to be a mechanism for the EC to be given additional provisions to take action (against such campaigns found on social media).”

In reply, deputy law and institutional reform minister Ramkarpal Singh said the Communications and Multimedia Act was already being used by MCMC to handle such cases.