TECHNOLOGY giants are not exempt from the laws of sovereign nations, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said on Wednesday, as he called for greater accountability from major online platforms and affirmed the need for regulatory frameworks that prioritise safety and sovereignty.
“There are rules in place for safety, and these companies must comply with the law,” Fahmi stated during a panel session at the High-Level Event of the World Summit on the Information Society +20 (WSIS+20) held in Geneva.
Speaking on digital governance, Fahmi stressed that every sovereign nation has laws that serve a multitude of purposes, and that these must be respected — even by the world’s largest technology firms.
In line with this principle, Malaysia has taken the lead in developing the ASEAN Guidelines for Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms. The initiative aims to provide a regional reference point—non-legally binding but grounded in shared principles, best practices, and actionable recommendations for governments, platforms, and users alike.
“These guidelines will help, perhaps as a beacon, for ASEAN nations to move forward safely, while respecting each other’s sovereignty and the principle of ASEAN centrality,” Bernama reported Fahmi saying on Thursday. “In that way, we hope to have a bigger and stronger voice.”
The guidelines are intended to foster cross-border cooperation within ASEAN’s information sector and with social media platforms in tackling harmful online content, while safeguarding freedom of expression.
They also seek to strengthen cyber-wellbeing across ASEAN member states and set a foundation for practical engagement with digital platforms, echoing the region’s shared aspiration for a safe, open, and accountable digital space. - July 10, 2025
