A Bernama check on the channel found the following message displayed: “This channel can’t be displayed because it violated local laws (Malaysia)”.

On Thursday, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission filed a civil action against “Edisi Siasat” and “Edisi Khas”, rendering the two channels inaccessible on the same evening.

However, at 8pm the same day, Bernama’s check of the platform found that a new account using the name “Edisi Siasat 2.0” had been created, gaining more than100,000 followers before it was blocked last night.

MCMC said in a statement the action is the first of its kind taken against a social media platform provider, especially since Telegram holds an Application Service (Class) licence.

It said both channels were construed as spreading content that violated provisions under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which has the potential to erode trust in public institutions and affect public order.