In the first half of 2023, Meta (owner of Facebook) and China’s TikTok implemented restrictions on a record number of social media posts and accounts in Malaysia, according to data released by the companies. The surge in content removal aligns with an increase in government requests to take down specific material.
The administration of Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, which assumed power in November 2022, has faced accusations of compromising its commitment to protecting freedom of speech. The government, however, denies stifling dissent and asserts its aim to control provocative content related to race, religion, and royalty.
Meta’s Transparency Report for the period between January and June 2023 revealed that the company restricted approximately 3,100 pages and posts on Facebook and Instagram platforms in Malaysia. These restrictions were based on allegations of violating local laws, marking a sixfold increase from the previous half-year and the highest since reporting began in 2017.
Meta reported that between July 2022 and June 2023, it restricted access to over 3,500 items in response to reports from Malaysia’s communications regulator and other government agencies. The restricted content encompassed criticism of the government and posts violating laws related to illegal gambling, hate speech, divisive content, bullying, and financial scams.
In a similar report, TikTok disclosed that it received 340 requests from the Malaysian government to remove or restrict content in the first half of 2023, affecting 890 posts and accounts. TikTok complied with 815 of those requests, citing violations of local laws or the platform’s community guidelines. This figure tripled the number of removals in the second half of 2022.
Malaysia ranked the highest among Southeast Asian governments in making requests to restrict content on TikTok, although Meta did not disclose the total number of government requests it received.
The Malaysian government, which did not comment on the data, has been accused of acting against critical content. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil denied allegations that he sought the removal of posts critical of him and mentioned that the regulator often acted on complaints from ordinary users.
Issues related to race, religion, and defamatory content are sensitive topics in Malaysia, which has diverse ethnic populations. Laws prohibiting seditious remarks or insults against the monarchy further complicate discussions around free speech.
Article 19, a free speech advocacy group, criticized the removal of posts critical of the government, expressing concerns that increased requests to restrict content could impede legitimate free speech and expression. The group emphasized that restricting expression solely for its critical nature on social issues or government institutions is impermissible.
