Malaysia is working on an internet 'kill switch', says minister

Malaysia is set to introduce legislation for an internet "kill switch," as announced by Minister for Law and Institutional Reform, Azalina Othman Said. The proposed law, which will be presented to Parliament in October, aims to enhance digital security and includes provisions for the procedure and enforcement of the kill switch. The minister emphasized the need for social media and messaging platforms to take greater responsibility for their role in online crimes, such as fraud and cyberbullying. The government is also considering amendments to define and classify cyberbullying and establish enforcement measures.

In a related move, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced that social media and messaging platforms with over eight million registered users in Malaysia must apply for a license by January 1, 2025, or face legal consequences. This requirement expands previous licensing obligations that only applied to certain service providers. The MCMC stated that these measures aim to create a safer online environment, particularly for children and families. However, the new licensing requirement has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, which argue that it could suppress social media use and public participation in democracy. They advocate for regulation to mitigate online harm but question the expansion of government power as a solution. A conference on online harms is scheduled for September, featuring discussions on these issues.