CYBERJAYA: Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said he has no power to direct or ask any platform to take down or block any content.
He said although the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) may suggest the removal of certain content, the ultimate decision rests with the platform itself.
"Whether it is removed or blocked, it is not my right to direct them (to do so)… I do not direct or have the power at this time to ask any platform to do anything; it is done in cooperation with these platforms.
"If a platform chooses to remove any particular content, they do not necessarily inform us (the ministry) or specifically me, about the methods employed to do so," he said after launching Telekom Malaysia's digital healthcare services under the e-Pharmacy solution here today.
Fahmi was replying to a question from reporters about a TikTok video posted today by Putrajaya member of parliament Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin, who criticised him for his statement suggesting that freedom of speech means all accounts should be blocked.
During the winding-up of the royal address debate yesterday, Fahmi had said Radzi's social media account would have been completely suspended if the government were impeding freedom of speech in the country.
Radzi had inquired whether the 'geofence' element was used to limit access to his posts to users located outside of Malaysia.