In an exclusive interview with FMT, he said Malaysia should seek a middle ground between overregulation and digital freedom.
“It’s not about being too strict or too lenient. It’s about finding the right balance.
“Malaysia, particularly in its role as Asean chair, needs to show leadership in balancing rights and freedoms,” he said.
Critics have flagged Southeast Asia as having some of the world’s strictest social media regulations, with several countries imposing tight controls on online content and user activity.
Singapore’s Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act grants its government broad powers to regulate online content, sparking concerns over freedom of expression and political discourse despite being effective against misinformation.
In Thailand, individuals have been prosecuted for liking and sharing offensive posts about the monarchy on social media under the country’s strict lèse majesté law, which prescribes severe penalties of up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
Indonesia is considering tighter regulations on social media use among minors, and is looking into the possibility of mirroring Australia’s age restrictions. If enacted, critics say the regulations could lead to a more restrictive online environment for young users, though details remain under development.
However, Fahmi, who is also PKR information chief, said Putrajaya will not adopt Canberra’s approach of banning social media for those under 16. Instead, the government will focus on educating parents about online safety.
“We’ll work with parents and platforms to ensure families understand the risks and benefits of social media.
“If you allow your children to use YouTube, know how to enable parental controls and block certain channels,” he said.
Australia’s Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 imposes a strict ban on social media use for children under 16, with no exceptions for parental consent.
Social media companies face fines of up to A$32 million (RM89.61 million) for non-compliance, raising concerns about practicality and human rights implications.
Fahmi also addressed concerns about enforcement, saying the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) does not act arbitrarily.
“MCMC operates strictly by the book. Anyone who violates the law goes through due process.
“That process can be long and complex. Some people expect content to be removed immediately or action to be taken swiftly, but we must respect the rule of law,” he said.