THE Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will take stern action against anyone disseminating slander on social media, especially during the state elections.

Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said his ministry has held meetings with social media platforms such as Telegram and TikTok to curb the problem.

“We had a meeting with TikTok at the end of last year and the beginning of this year, and we just had a meeting with Telegram (on June 19). So far, the cooperation with the social media service providers has been very good,” he told a press conference after the pre-launch of the Kelantan-level Madani community programme at Wawa Hall in Kota Baru today.

“We also see that there is a need to have a meeting with Meta. Good cooperation between the police, MCMC and social media service providers is very important not only to curb slander but also to ensure that it (social media) is not misused.”

Fahmi said the ministry is studying the amendment to the Communications and Multimedia Act to empower MCMC with more authority to go after those disseminating slander on social media.

He said the amendment is needed to ensure there is no provocation or slander involving the 3Rs – race, religion and royalty.

Fahmi said he hoped the amendment would be done by the end of the year. – Bernama, June 24, 2023.