KUALA LUMPUR (May 21): The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has issued a statutory demand to TikTok over its failure to promptly remove offensive, defamatory content, as well as fake accounts linked to the Malaysian Royal Institution.

The issue involves content linked to an account falsely claiming to be associated with the King, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar. The content included offensive and false material, such as artificial intelligence-generated videos and manipulated images, which may violate Malaysian communication and criminal laws.

The MCMC in a statement on Thursday said the content may violate Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and other penal laws, particularly involving sensitive 3R (race, religion and royalty) issues that could threaten public order and national harmony.

Despite prior engagements, TikTok’s moderation response was deemed unsatisfactory. 

The MCMC said TikTok has been ordered to immediately improve its content moderation and enforcement systems to better remove content that violates Malaysian laws and community standards, as well as explain its failure to act effectively.

The regulator warned it will continue taking firm legal and regulatory action against platforms that fail to curb unlawful and harmful content in Malaysia.