TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Malaysia government criticized, mocked for crackdown on video making

News Desk (Agence France-Presse)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Thu, July 23, 2020

Share This Article

Change Size

Malaysia government criticized, mocked for crackdown on video making 			         An AFP collaborator poses for a picture using the smart phone application TikTok on Dec. 14, 2018 in Paris. Malaysia on Thursday said a license would be required to make any video in the country, even those posted on social media platforms like TikTok, sparking a storm of criticism. (AFP/File)

M

alaysia on Thursday said a license would be required to make any video in the country, even those posted on social media platforms like TikTok, sparking a storm of criticism.

Critics slammed it as the latest move by authorities to silence dissent and independent media -- while others jokingly posted clips of cats, asking if they needed official permission.

The announcement was triggered by a row with Al Jazeera over a documentary made in Malaysia, which has infuriated officials and for which they claim the Qatar-based broadcaster did not get the necessary license. 

Al Jazeera insists it did not need one for the program.

But addressing parliament Thursday, Communications Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said anyone making any video, including for social media, needed official permission under current laws.

Observers said such broad enforcement of the rules would be impossible, however, and the opposition accused the government of trying to use outdated legislation to stifle criticism.

"By enforcing this law, [the] government is basically making... filming an illegal activity in Malaysia," said opposition lawmaker Wong Shu Qi.

"Will the government take action against all TikTok users? Will the government request every YouTuber to apply for a license?"

The current law regulating video making in Malaysia dates back to 1981, and is a broad piece of legislation that officially requires anyone producing a video to get a license from a government agency.

Some were amused more than outraged by the announcement, however, trolling Saifuddin and posting mocking videos.

Alongside a clip of his pet cat, one Twitter user commented: "Just letting you know that I do not have a... license to publish this film."

The Al Jazeera documentary focused on the plight of migrant workers in Malaysia but it angered the government.

Six of the broadcaster's journalists, including five Australians, were called in for police questioning this month.

Concerns have been growing in Malaysia about worsening media freedom since a reformist government collapsed and a scandal-plagued party seized power in March.

 

 

 

{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.