KUALA LUMPUR: According to Fahmi Fadzil, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has blocked more than 2,200 porn and phishing websites this year in order to prevent the breach of laws. In response to Datuk Wan Saifulruddin Wan Jan’s question, the Communications and Digital Minister revealed that MCMC, along with enforcement agencies like the police, Securities Commission, Health Ministry, and Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, took action and blocked these websites between January 1 and August 31. Out of the total blocked websites, 1,022 were related to porn, while 1,247 were phishing websites.
In addition to this, enforcement agencies also blocked a total of 3,997 other websites. These websites included online gambling and copyright infringement websites (453 each), as well as prostitution (83), illegal stock and equities trading (78), controlled drugs or cosmetics (38), food products (30), trademark law (26), hate speech (17), money lending (12), personal data (6), medicine (3), illegal business programs (2), and criminal defamation (1).
Fahmi also mentioned that MCMC has blocked 11,949 social media accounts that violated social media policies and laws in the country. Among these accounts, 7,026 were linked to online gambling, 1,842 were involved in scams, and 1,263 accounts were responsible for bullying and harassment. Other blocked social media accounts included porn (506), fake content (722), fake accounts (157), threatening (27), inappropriate accounts (1), and other violations (405).
Fahmi emphasized that efforts to block these accounts are non-negotiable and are in accordance with the terms and conditions set by the social media platforms.
Furthermore, Fahmi responded to Datuk Suhaimi Nasir’s question and stated that since December 1, 2022, a total of 156 unverified news items related to Race, Royalty, Religion (3R), and the Prime Minister had been identified. He revealed that the police had initiated investigations into 66 cases of fake news and 3R issues, with 41 cases already solved. The remaining 25 cases are still being investigated by the police, Attorney General’s Chamber, and MCMC.
Fahmi highlighted several initiatives aimed at educating the public about fact-checking news with verified sources before sharing. MCMC has a fact-checking portal called “sebenarnya.my,” while Radio Televisyen Malaysia has a television and radio program called “Pastikan Sahih” that airs from Monday to Thursday. Additionally, RTM has a one-minute segment called “Biar Betul!” during the “Kanta 744” slot at 7.44pm daily. Fahmi also mentioned the nationwide program “Klik Dengan Bijak,” which aims to educate the elderly and youth about the dangers of fake news.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
