The government and religious institutions will continue to monitor platforms such as films and social media to curb any elements or scenes deemed to be promoting inappropriate culture such as leabian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT), says Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin.
Speaking at the Dewan Negara, he said the government will not hesitate to take severe action against individuals found promoting such elements.
However, he said the government will not be able to control contents broadcast on platforms like online streaming and Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms based abroad like Netflix.
“Provisions in the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Akta 588) does not include censorship of such contents which is spelled out under Section 3(3) of Act 588.”
“In addition, OTT services like Netflix are not like public broadcast services or private institutions in the country that fall under the existing laws involving licencing and censorship in the country,” he said.
He said this in response to a question from Senator Datuk Ahmad Yahaya who wanted to know the ministry’s position on a proposal to control content and programmes broadcast or released on platforms like Netflix, to curb inappropriate culture among the community.
1. Putrajaya will continue to work with religious institutions to curb film and social media promoting the LGBT lifestyle.
— BFM News (@NewsBFM) August 10, 2022
K-KOMM Deputy minister Zahidi Zainul Abidin cited efforts to tackle such content on TikTok as well as the censorship of the movie Thor: Love and Thunder. https://t.co/wrCD1EyuBt pic.twitter.com/eK8AwAZSUB
What Malaysians think?
Meanwhile, the minister’s comments did not sit well with netizens, with many calling on the government and the ministry to resolve other more pressing issues the people are facing.
“What is K-KOMM’s action on corruption? Inflation? Death in custody? Delays in treatment at gov hospitals? Lack of retirement savings? Of all the issues at hand — they go after a non-issue!” a netizen asked.
“Sure. Divert us all from the bigger issues with this. Easy scapegoat eh?” another netizen said.
On the other hand, some netizens pointed out the irony that social media such as Instagram and Twitter supported the LGBTQ+ movement, but the ministers themselves are on these social media platforms.
“Both (Instagram and Twitter) heavily support the LGBTQ+ movement. But the irony is, without these social media platforms, how would you promote your backward ideologies?” the netizen said.
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, says Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin.){kind=link}