Amendments to Communications and Multimedia, MCMC Acts tabled for first reading

Bills are aimed at tackling online harm and placing more accountability on social media platforms to ensure users’ safety and security

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the second reading for the two bills will be held in the current parliamentary sitting. - Bernama pic, December 2, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR —  Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil today tabled amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) and Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Act for first reading.

The amendment bills were tabled in the Dewan Rakyat, where Fahmi told the house that their second reading would be conducted during the current lower House sitting, which ends on Dec 12.

The amendments to CMA will see social media companies doing more to tackle online harm on their platforms.

It will also address the contentious Section 233 on improper use of network facilities, which lawyers and critics have said is too broad and subjective in the words “offensive” and “annoy”. 

The amendments to the MCMC Act will propose increased powers to the commission to set industry standards, including for online safety.

The second reading of bills will involve debate by MPs on the bill’s main principles, followed by a winding up speech by the minister who will answer lawmakers’ queries raised during debates, before the House takes a vote. Bills will then go into a third reading with further debate on its specific contents. – December 2, 2024