{
  "id": 9547727,
  "title": "MCMC protects online users, not political tool, says Fahmi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/mcmc-protects-online-users-not-political-tool-says-fahmi",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T11:30:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1540326/mcmc-protects-online-users-not-political-tool-says-fahmi"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has clarified that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is not a political tool used to restrict freedom of expression, especially on social media. Instead, MCMC's role is to regulate social-media platforms to ensure public safety in the digital space. There are misunderstandings about the removal of content on platforms like Facebook, but it's not MCMC or Fahmi Fadzil who decides, but the platforms themselves.\n\nMCMC is there to assist people with issues such as cyberbullying, dissemination of intimate images, scams, and more. If someone wants MCMC's services, MCMC should serve them. Any reports and complaints received by MCMC are forwarded to the platform providers for further action, based on the platforms' Community Guidelines and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. For instance, if Fahmi Fadzil himself complains, it doesn't mean the content will be removed; the removal is done by the platform provider like Facebook or TikTok if they agree that the content violates the law.\n\nMCMC currently receives almost half a million requests to remove content, but only about 90% of the total content is removed because this is an action taken by the platform provider, not a decision made by MCMC. All platform providers operating in the country have cooperated with the government, particularly in dealing with content related to racial, religious, and royal sensitivities, known as 3R. However, for things like satire and mockery, platforms usually claim that the content doesn't violate the law.\n\nRegarding making digital platforms safer for the public, Fahmi Fadzil stated that the ministry's current priority is cross-ministry collaboration to regulate the digital economy, particularly e-commerce. As Fahmi Fadzil oversees the telco and courier sectors, he has seen complaints from shop owners due to the sale of goods without adequate quality, no monitoring, and at too low prices, severely affecting many traders, including Bumiputera traders. To avoid a glut of products, particularly electrical and electronic goods that don't meet Sirim standards and could pose risks to consumers, Fahmi Fadzil wants to resolve this issue together with the Finance Ministry and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The government has never used the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) as a political tool to restrict anyone’s freedom of expression, particularly on social media, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "MCMC, PDRM actively combating online child sexual exploitation – Fahmi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/mcmc-pdrm-actively-combating-online-child-sexual-exploitation-fahmi",
        "published": "2026-09-24T09:21:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "MCMC protects online users, not political tool, says Fahmi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/mcmc-protects-online-users-not-political-tool-says-fahmi-9562888",
        "published": "2026-09-24T13:48:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}