Fahmi said this is because some social media providers are profiting off Malaysians but fail to ensure user safety, Bernama reported.

He said Facebook is estimated to have earned US$600 million (RM2.7 billion) from Malaysia but lacked commitment to ensure that their platform is safe to use in Malaysia.

“It is not easy to develop our own social media platform, but some countries have attempted it. We will look into it,” he said.

Fahmi said celebrity host Aznil Nawawi came up with the proposal after Facebook and Instagram owner Meta removed social media postings related to Palestine.

The Prime Minister’s Office has also complained that Facebook removed a posting that featured a meeting between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar in May.

Social media platforms will be required to have a licence from next year, using a locally incorporated company, under new government guidelines aimed at combating scams and cyberbullying.