SINGAPORE, July 29 — Asean must cooperate on a stricter regulatory framework to ensure a safer internet ecosystem for children, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
He said discussions are being led by Thailand, and will continue when Malaysia becomes Asean chair next year.
Fahmi said the proposal was backed by Singapore Digital Development and Information Minister Josephine Teo in a bilateral meeting today.
“This meeting not only brings our two ministries closer, but shows an effort where both of us will convey similar views on this issue to Asean, especially when Malaysia becomes Asean chair next year.
“This is a positive step and will make the Internet and ecosystem in Malaysia, Singapore and the Southeast Asian region safer for children and families,” he told Bernama.
He said Teo welcomed Malaysia’s move to introduce a regulatory framework on safe internet for children and families on Thursday, which will come into effect on January 1, 2025.
In the new framework, all social media services and internet messaging services that have at least eight million registered users in Malaysia must apply for an Application Service Provision Class Licence under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Singapore has had a regulatory framework for social media platforms in place since 2022.
Today, Fahmi visited TikTok’s Transparency and Accountability Centre (TAC) headquarters here.
Fahmi and the Malaysian delegation, comprising officials from the Communications Ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, were briefed on TikTok’s operations, including its community guidelines and recommendations system.
The minister also experienced the moderation workstation simulation at TikTok.
The Singapore TAC opened late last year and is the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region. TikTok has hosted more than 300 guests from civil society groups, regulators and industry partners.
Fahmi is in Singapore for a three-day working visit, mainly to meet social media platform operators to discuss issues such as scams, cyberbullying, pornography and troll farms.
— Bernama
