Malaysia Revokes Plan to Bar Meta Due to Gambling-Related Materials
Malaysia initially intended to restrict Meta and Facebook due to worries about gambling and sexual content, but they've since reconsidered their decision. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced at the end of last week that the company is no longer on the blacklist.
The MCMC had implemented the ban at the end of June, citing concerns about "undesirable" content on Facebook. The platform's lenient approach to posts regarding online gambling, religion, and race became a problem. Criticisms against the royal family only intensified the situation.
Since then, Meta has expressed its willingness to work with Malaysia in addressing the content available on its platforms. It doesn't seem that the company plans to impose these same controls on fraudulent posts or impersonation in other regions, however.
Meta and Malaysia: A United Front
In withdrawing the ban, Minister of Communications and Digital Fahmi Fadzil praised Meta for its cooperation in addressing the issue of objectionable content. He emphasized the company's dedicated efforts to collaborate with Malaysian government entities, including its regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies.
Malaysia's population of 33 million represents 60% of Facebook's registered users, making the platform the primary social media platform in the country. However, the ban in June caused a decrease in usage.
Fahmi insisted that the government's objective is to uphold free speech while regulating content related to ethnicity, religion, and nationality. Given Malaysia's diverse population, which includes the Muslim Malay majority and Chinese and Indian minority groups, addressing these concerns is crucial.
Fahmi rejected any allegations of government involvement in the recent removals of various social media pages and accounts. He suggested that these takedowns were most likely due to public complaints rather than government intervention, though the timing raises suspicions.
The removal of these pages correlates with Malaysia preparing for its upcoming local elections in August. Anwar Ibrahim's administration is facing a challenge from a coalition of Malay-Muslim parties seeking a more conservative government.
The insulting of sultans, who often participate in ceremonial events, is forbidden in Malaysia. Earlier this month, opposition leader Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor faced sedition charges for seemingly disrespecting these figures.
Malaysia's Gambled-Fueled Economy
As in many Muslim countries, gambling is considered a sensitive issue in Malaysia. This circumstance has led to a multi-billion-dollar industry, as no government has managed to effectively eradicate the practice.
Recently, police arrested three individuals in connection with illegal gambling. As part of an ongoing operation, the authorities seized cash, gold, and 17 luxury cars, confiscating around MYR38 million (US$8.4 million). The gold, worth approximately US$13 million, was the most noteworthy asset.
One unidentified 42-year-old businessman was reportedly in possession of up to MYR500 million (US$110.85 million). He spent only one day in jail before being granted bail and now faces multiple charges, including money laundering, criminal conspiracy, and illegal gambling.
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Source: www.casino.org
