PUTRAJAYA, Oct 31 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has obtained an Erinford Injunction from the Kuala Lumpur High Court to block the distribution of harmful content on the Telegram platform, via the Edisi Siasat and Edisi Khas channels.
The commission applied for the injunction as part of a civil suit against Telegram, as a temporary measure pending the hearing of its interlocutory appeal at the Court of Appeal.
In a statement today, the MCMC said the ruling is a significant step in its ongoing efforts to ensure the country's digital ecosystem remains safe, responsible and aligned with the public interest.
The court granted the Erinford Injunction to prohibit the broadcasting of the harmful content detailed in MCMC's statement of claim, along with any other content with similar characteristics or effects.
Furthermore, the court has ordered the complete shutdown of the Edisi Siasat and Edisi Khas channels, as well as any other channels with similar content or methods of operation.
The injunction is intended to prevent the dissemination of false, misleading and seditious content, as well as material capable of undermining public confidence in the nation's public institutions, through the said platform.
In its ruling, the court further emphasised that the public interest outweighs private interests, with the balance of justice clearly favouring MCMC.
The court found that any detriment to Telegram is minimal when weighed against the substantial and severe damage to national institutions, public confidence and societal harmony that would likely result from the continued dissemination of the harmful content.
The court also emphasised that foreign platforms like Telegram are obliged to respect Malaysia's legal framework and social context, and remain sensitive to its unique social and cultural fabric, whether they understand them or not.
