Malaysia: Implemented Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) including content moderation authority governance

On 1 April 1999, the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) entered into force. The Act is applicable to any licensee under the Act and any person who provides relevant facilities or services under the Act. The Act serves as a legal framework to safeguard a free and open internet and entrusts oversight to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), an independent regulatory body overseeing mobile and internet providers. Specifically, the MCMC may issue directions to individuals who are non-compliant with the licence conditions and is granted the power to conduct investigations, inquiries and gatherings of information. Additionally, the MCMC is required to maintain a register of all matters that must be registered under the Act. Further, the Act establishes an Appeal Tribunal with the power to review decisions or directions from the MCMC upon appeal.