The Malaysian government has been embroiled in controversy after several TikTok posts by former minister Khairy Jamaluddin were taken down.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has categorically denied any government involvement in the removal process, asserting that no instructions were given regarding Khairy’s posts, according to FMT.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) echoed Fahmi’s statement, clarifying that TikTok removed the posts based on its community guidelines. The MCMC emphasised that they had no role in the decision to take down the content.
Khairy’s posts centred around the privatisation deal involving Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and US-based investment firm BlackRock.
He raised concerns about transparency in the deal and questioned the foreign partner’s expertise in airport management compared to MAHB.
Though the government might have nothing to do with this, MCMC has a history of requesting TikTok to remove posts.
Previously, TikTok reported that between June and December 2023, the Malaysian government made the highest number of takedown requests globally, totalling 1,862 requests.
