KUALA LUMPUR, August 5 – Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching announced that social media and messaging platforms must establish a local presence in Malaysia to apply for a class licence starting January 1, 2025. This new requirement will affect platforms with over eight million Malaysian users, necessitating their incorporation in the country by the implementation date.
Teo emphasized that all relevant companies have been informed about this requirement and have approximately five months to comply. The move, initially revealed by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil on July 27, aims to enhance online safety and combat cybercrime but has raised concerns about potential censorship and increased control.
