KUALA LUMPUR – Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching today rebuffed claims by a Perikatan Nasional (PN) lawmaker that the government was pushing social media platforms to silence opposition MPs.
Teo reprimanded Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Arau-PN) in the Dewan Rakyat today after the latter alleged that the government had blocked his access to TikTok while he was livestreaming during his debate yesterday.
“I have no knowledge why Arau’s TikTok was blocked yesterday during his debate, but I think he is is irresponsible to allege that his TikTok was blocked because the ministry is collaborating with the platform just because we had a meeting recently.
“If you dare, please step out of the Dewan and repeat what you said again so legal actions can be taken,” Teo said.
“As an MP, I have always upheld freedom of speech, but I would like to ask you: when I was investigated by police on my Facebook post, why did you not defend me?
“So as a senior MP, please don’t misuse the platform and speak on matters that have nothing to do on the issue. Cyber Security Malaysia has nothing to do with TikTok or social media platforms,” Teo said.
.@shahidan_kassim spoke on the RM58.5 million annual budget for Cyber Security Malaysia and alleged that he was being censored on his TikTok while livestreaming his debate speech yesterday. pic.twitter.com/bpzj1lgZPn
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) March 23, 2023
During the debate at the committee stage for Budget 2023 for the ministry, Shahidan spoke on the RM58.5 million annual budget for Cyber Security Malaysia and alleged that he was being censored on his TikTok while livestreaming his debate speech yesterday.
He chided the Pakatan Harapan-led unity government for engaging in censorship despite its claims of upholding free speech.
“Why block me? During my speech yesterday I did not name anyone or touch on anything (controversial), but then I was blocked for 10 minutes (on TikTok).
“I believe I was praising the government at the time when they blocked me,” he said in jest.
Shahidan then explained that as a parliamentarian, he has rights to speak freely in Dewan provided it does not touch on race, religion, or the royalty.
This however prompted Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (Tampin-BN) to interject Shahidan and told him that his speech today did not touch on any budget-related matters.
“Everything you are saying now is not about the budget. It is all politics,” Isam said, drawing laughter from other lawmakers.
Shahidan then pointed out that the current government was engaging in active censorship, noting meetings held with social media companies such as TikTok recently.
This led to Sim Tze Tzin (Bayan Baru-PH) to tell Shahidan to take his complaints to TikTok instead of raising such matters in the Dewan Rakyat.
“If TikTok were able to operate freely then this would not have happened to me,’’ Shahidan replied.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Alice Lau then asked Shahidan to sit down, telling him that he is “talking too much about TikTok”.
Yesterday, TikTok Malaysia was reported saying it has not taken orders from the government regarding its operations.
Its public policy head Hafizin Tajudin said the government has so far not attempted to interfere in its operations. – The Vibes, March 23, 2023
Additional reporting by Amar Shah Mohsen
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