I REFER to a recent news report about Mandiri's X account being suspended after its leaders were held for disrupting an event (https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/772080).
The episode raises troubling concerns about freedom of speech in Malaysia, and whether social media platforms are being implicitly compelled to play a role in its erosion, as a result of how the system is designed, rather than choice.
Mandiri's case was straightforward: There was a protest, which was unbecoming and disruptive. Placards were waved and an official event was interrupted. Did the protesters cross the line in terms of public decorum? Perhaps. In fact, they were possibly treading on a fine legal line between what's legally acceptable and breaking the law on public order.
But the truth is, civil disobedience has long been recognised as a form of expression, most notably by Mahatma Gandhi during India’s independence movement.
Soon after the incident, Mandiri's X account was suspended. But does it justify robbing Mandiri's online voice by way of suspension of its X account?
The protesters’ disregard for decorum at a physical event, which led to the suspension of Mandiri’s X account, is a troubling sign of a broader attempt to silence Malaysians and curry favour with those in power.
This raises questions about whether the licensing framework for social media platforms is having a chilling effect. With platforms now subject to licensing requirements, the risk is that regulatory pressure may incentivise more aggressive content moderation to avoid penalties.
Is the licensing a "leash" on social media companies, the way the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984 was to the print media? Is this forcing social media companies to do more rigorous self-censorship for fear of losing their license, resulting in commercial losses?
If actions in the physical world can lead to restrictions on online speech, the boundary becomes unclear. That is how a slippery slope begins.
To be fair, we do not know why Mandiri's account was suspended. But the timing invites scrutiny and raises troubling questions. We cannot let it become a precedent.
This is not about defending rude behaviour but about defending the space for free, responsible expression. Once that space shrinks, it is very hard to reclaim and we should not wait until it is gone to realise its value.
Mah Seng Kwee
Kuala Lumpur
The observations reflect the writer's personal insights and do not necessarily represent the official stance of The Vibes.com
