AMENDMENTS to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1988 (Act 588) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1988 (Act 589) will help curb issues relating to race, religion and the royal institution (3R).

Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said that many matters in the acts needs to be updated in line with the vast developments in current technology.

“The amendments will also involve engagement sessions with MPs. The ministry will study it before it is tabled at Parliament in this session or at the latest, next year,” he said as a guest of a forum titled ‘Youth Empowerment Through Digital Platforms’ in conjunction with the Youth Empowerment Fair 2023 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today.

During the forum, Fahmi also shared that the Malay Rulers expressed their views, advice and concerns about extremism during his recent audience with them following several incidents involving race, religion and the royal institution that could possibly affect public order and harmony in the country.

“Nearly all (state) religious councils have been instructed not to allow any politicking in mosques and suraus. I have spoken with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and they have come out with a statement today to remind everybody to be polite, decent and to not violate any laws,” he said.

The MCMC reminded the public again in a statement today to not upload or share any hateful content or opinions involving 3R elements on social media or messaging apps.

In another development, Fahmi said his ministry has been in contact with several satellite internet service providers to assist rural communities to obtain cheaper internet access.

“For instance, those who need to pay RM10 for one gigabyte (GB) of internet data. This is a stiff price. We need to do something about it to ensure internet access is not only available but not too expensive,” he said.

Fahmi said currently, 97% of residential areas in the country have access to the internet and the remaining areas without such facilities are in the interior of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as Orang Asli settlements and inhabited islands. – Bernama, March 19, 2023.