Bukit Aman to Meet with TikTok Executives Over a Major Social Media Issue Soon
The top management of TikTok has been summoned to Bukit Aman after the platform was accused of delaying cooperation with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) in addressing the spread of fake news, according to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
TikTok in Trouble?
Speaking after the AI Grand Prix Conference 2025 at the Tun Abdul Razak Broadcasting and Information Institute (IPPTAR), Fahmi revealed that the issue involved a recent viral post where an individual falsely claimed to be a pathologist in the case of Zara Qairina Mahathir.
TikTok was very slow in providing information to PDRM, to the point that I had to call TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew personally. I told him, “This is a crime being committed and your organisation is too slow.” We cannot allow such an attitude
Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Communications Minister
The minister confirmed that a high-level meeting will take place at Bukit Aman, attended by Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail and Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki.
Meta Also Under Scrutiny
Apart from TikTok, Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, will also be summoned to explain the spread of inappropriate and harmful content on its platform.
One of the concerns highlighted by Fahmi was the dissemination of paedophilia-related content, discovered under Op Pedo, which involved an online group called “Geng Budak Sekolah” that went viral on WhatsApp and Facebook.
We see these platforms are not taking the matter seriously. Malaysian law applies to them, and they must comply. We will summon every platform if necessary.
Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Communications Minister
Government Considering Mandatory Identity Verification
During a special dialogue session at the AI Grand Prix, Fahmi also said the government is considering making identity verification mandatory for all sales transactions on social media.
The measure aims to combat the misuse of fake accounts, often linked to scams, online gambling promotions, and deepfake content.
Many crimes on social media are carried out by perpetrators hiding behind fake accounts. If you want to sell goods online or place ads on platforms like Facebook, there should be real details. Singapore has already implemented this measure.
Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Communications Minister
Fahmi also announced that the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms for ASEAN will be formally adopted during the 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025.
The AI Grand Prix Conference 2025, themed “Driving Intelligence to Lead the Future”, runs for two days and gathers academics, policymakers, industry leaders, and creative practitioners to explore the role of AI in shaping Malaysia’s communication, media, and digital transformation agenda.
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