Experts say enforcement could influence user behaviour even without explicit curbs in speech
PETALING JAYA: Consumer advocates and experts have warned that Malaysia’s move to place major social media and internet messaging platforms more firmly under local regulation could have indirect effects on users, activists and online discourse.
Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president Mohamad Sirajuddin Jalil warned that the regulatory shift could place indirect pressure on social media users.
“This can indirectly put pressure back on social media users, including those who run businesses or are active online. Certain common features on platforms may change, and these are things we may not immediately realise.
“We also do not know how social media companies themselves will react. These platforms understand consumer trends very well. They may use public sentiment as a reason to push back against the government by framing changes as something that affects users.”
Sirajuddin noted that social media platforms host a wide range of activist voices, which could be affected even if restrictions are not explicitly targeted at expression.
“There are many activist accounts. Some of these are very vocal and brave in expressing their views and opinions. When a regulatory body like the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission imposes restrictions on platforms, this will inevitably affect how these voices operate, even if that is not the stated intention.”
He stressed that while MCCA supports policies aimed at user safety, it does not take a deferential position towards government action.
On freedom of expression, Sirajuddin said definitions must reflect Malaysia’s social and cultural context.
“Freedom of speech is a subjective concept and it depends on how society understands it. You cannot apply the same definition of freedom of speech in Malaysia as in the US.
“Our culture and social values are different. For us, freedom of speech must be guided by decency and morality, as reflected in the Rukun Negara.
“And so, any law that is created must not be abused politically. Politicians must remember that laws they pass today will also apply to them in the future.
“Good policy must also come with good messaging. Without clear communication, people will misunderstand and that opens the door to conspiracy theories, fake news and political exploitation.”
From a technical and governance standpoint, Universiti Malaya cybersecurity specialist Prof Dr Ainuddin Wahid Abdul Wahab said the deeming approach effectively closes registration loopholes.
“Technically, it works because it avoids bureaucratic delays and ensures platforms with eight million users are immediately subject to the Act.
“To avoid legal action, platforms may moderate content more aggressively in line with international practices. While the intention is to enhance safety, there is also a possibility that platforms may remove borderline content simply to ensure their compliance record remains free of any legal breaches.”
Meanwhile, Universiti Teknologi Mara media communication expert Assoc Prof Dr Tengku Elena Tengku Mahamad said the regulatory move was more likely to influence behaviour subtly.
“Even without new content restrictions, the move signals a clearer regulatory presence, which can influence how users think about visibility, accountability and risk. This often leads to more deliberate communication, especially on sensitive or controversial topics.
“Perceptions of tighter oversight could also encourage self-censorship driven by caution rather than enforcement.
“For journalists and activists, the effects are more likely to be indirect rather than immediate. When platforms operate under clearer regulatory expectations, they may naturally take a more cautious approach to moderation as part of managing legal and reputational concerns.”
On Monday, MCMC announced that from January next year, social media platforms with eight million or more users in Malaysia will be deemed registered under an Applications Service Provider Class licence through a provision in the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
The commission said the deeming provision allows qualifying platforms to be treated as licensed service providers for regulatory and enforcement purposes without a formal registration process.
