TELEGRAM is refusing to engage with the government over content transmitted on its platform, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said.

He said there had been numerous complaints lodged against the popular messaging platform, following which many attempts were made by the government to engage with Dubai-based company since January.

Telegram has not responded to date, Fahmi added.

He also said the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will propose the next course of action to be taken against the platform.

“We are having trouble with Telegram. They have been invited (for talks) but they are not cooperating.

“This could be an issue.

“The complaints are many but we do not see the effort from Telegram to cooperate,” he was reported as saying after launching the Merdeka logo and theme in Kuala Lumpur today.

Also present was Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching.

On the complaints made against Telegram, Fahmi said the Malaysian Medical Association was concerned with the sale of points to doctors on the platform.

These were points earned by doctors who attend conferences or workshops as part of their career progression. However, these were being sold on the messaging platform.

There are also concerns over pornography and drug-related content being shared on Telegram.

The minister said other social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, have been cooperative with the government. – May 27, 2023.