Malaysia’s Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has summoned TikTok’s top management to Bukit Aman on 4 September 2025, citing the platform’s sluggish response to police investigations into fake news and criminal content. Since early 2024, Fahmi has been actively in touch with TikTok regarding children's safety online.
TikTok Under Fire for Delayed Cooperation
According to this source, this is due to a viral post involving a self-proclaimed pathologist in the Zara Qairina Mahathir case. Fahmi said TikTok was “very slow” in assisting the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), prompting him to personally call TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. The upcoming meeting will include Malaysia’s Inspector-General of Police and Attorney General, signalling high-level urgency.
Meta Also in the Hot Seat
Meta (parent of Facebook) will be summoned next over the spread of paedophilia-related content linked to the online group “Geng Budak Sekolah,” which went viral on WhatsApp and Facebook. Fahmi stressed that platforms must comply with Malaysian law and take immoral content seriously.
Mandatory Identity Verification on the Horizon?
In a separate AI Grand Prix Conference session, Fahmi floated a bold proposal: mandatory identity verification for all online sales and ads on social media platforms. The move aims to curb fraud, deepfakes, and illegal gambling ads often tied to fake accounts.
“If you want to place an ad on Facebook, there must be real details — something Facebook has refused to do,” he said, citing Singapore’s proactive stance.
ASEAN-Wide Social Media Policy Incoming
Malaysia will formally adopt the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms during the 47th ASEAN Summit this October. The declaration aims to set regional standards for platform governance and digital safety. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.
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