KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 11): The Dewan Rakyat approved the Online Safety Bill 2024 in a bloc vote following a request from the Opposition.

The Bill received support from 77 Members of Parliament, while 55 MPs voted against it, and 90 were absent.

Earlier, Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari had invoked Standing Order 54(2) in an attempt to refer the Bill to a parliamentary committee for further review. However, his request was rejected by Deputy Speaker Alice Lau, who cited the requirement for a written notice to be submitted at least one day in advance.

Standing Order 54(2) allows for any MP to refer a Bill to a select committee after the second reading.

The order reads: "When a Bill has been read a second time it shall stand committed to a committee of the whole House unless the House on motion commits it to a select committee. Such motion shall not require notice, must be made immediately after the Bill is read a second time, and may be proposed by any member; the question thereon shall be put forthwith and shall be decided without amendments or debate."

The Bill, tabled by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said for its second reading, aims to regulate harmful content. A key feature of the Bill is the establishment of an online safety committee and an appeals tribunal.

It also outlines the duties of licensed service providers and content application service providers, as well as the reporting of harmful content and enforcement measures.

Several civil society organisations have raised concerns about the Bill's broad and vague definitions of harmful content, fearing that it could lead to extensive censorship and undermine freedom of expression.

Opposition lawmakers also criticised the lack of government engagement on the Bill and condemned the overreach of regulatory powers granted to the Communications Minister and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

This includes MCMC being able to delete content immediately, access users' personal data, and control social platforms without the necessary safeguards, according to Fadhli.

In wrapping up the debate, Azalina emphasised that the Bill was not intended to curb freedom of expression, but to target harmful content such as cyberbullying and child exploitation.

She also stressed that the Bill was aimed at online service providers (OSPs), who would be required to apply for licences starting in January next year, so they could be held legally accountable.

"This Bill is not for individuals. Given that we have millions of social media users in the country, we want to ensure that OSPs are required to take on several duties and responsibilities to create a safer online environment," she noted.

Following the passage of the Bill in the lower house, it will now be referred to the Senate for approval, before being sent for royal assent.

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