‘Safe internet’ framework will not discourage investments: Fahmi

These are set to be implemented next year, as they provide a much clearer regulatory framework.

Read more Business News

“We believe that if anything, this might spur further investments because the regulatory landscape becomes much clearer when these boundaries are there.

“I believe that if we’re able to do this, perhaps this is something that can be studied by other countries, other jurisdictions,” he told Bernama and Nikkei Asia in an interview at the end of his three-day working visit in Singapore on Tuesday.

The minister said that despite demand from segments of the public to suspend certain social media platforms, especially due to cases of cyberbullying, the government has decided to take the “middle path” by engaging with the platforms and working together with them to implement the framework.

Explaining the government’s decision to introduce licensing, Fahmi said it stemmed from the need to curb scams, child sexual abuse material and cyberbullying on these platforms, especially after the suicide of social media influencer A. Rajeswary, also known as Esha, which sparked public outcry.