Malaysia's social media licensing sees pushback
Internet giants pan the move despite Minister Fahmi's previous assurances.
You’re reading a paid version of The Malaysianist, a newsletter on money and power by writer and journalist Emmanuel Samarathisa.
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I’m hunched over here at my laptop juggling multiple deadlines, but thanks to an industry source, this landed on my lap.
Internet giants are pushing back against Malaysia’s ambition to licence social media platforms and messaging services.
In an August 23 letter, the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) wrote to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressing “concerns” over the licensing regime, believing “this licensing framework is unworkable for the industry and will adversely impact innovation by placing undue burdens on businesses”.
The letter effectively calls out Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil’s statement that platforms responded positively to Malaysia’s licensing regime, following his engagement in Singapore with officials from the likes of Meta, Google, TikTok and Tencent, among others.
The letter is also a threat from platforms that should there be an impasse between the government and industry players, tech investments — which Anwar’s government regularly takes to town to shore up its credentials — may be affected.
The AIC consists of these companies:
I understand that AIC will issue a statement citing the letter sometime today.
And when that is published, there’ll be the usual song and dance from regulator the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission as well as Minister Fahmi.
I’ll update this article when some of these future developments make the mainstream.
For now, here’s a breakdown of what the coalition told PM Anwar in its Friday letter: