ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship Online Content Manipulation & Restrictions Internet Users Social Media Users Online content manipulation persists. There are 100% 90% government-sponsored online commenters, known 80% as cyber troopers, that use social media to influence 70% public opinion, set public agendas and spread ideas. 60% Many of these efforts took place on major platforms 50% such as Twitter and WhatsApp.77 In 2020, the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government allocated funds to revive the Special Affairs Department (JASA), an agency mandated to disseminate information and 97% 40% 78% 30% 20% 10% 0% conduct strategic communication on behalf of the Prevalence government which had been previously dissolved.78 Total Population 33,03 million 26,80 million 34,13 million Several government agencies have been regularly DataReportal, Digital 2023, Malaysia, (9 february 2023), available at : https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2023-malaysia monitoring social media platforms for false and Fig. 4.5: Percentage of Internet and Social Media Users in Malaysia, 2023. sensitive statements relating to the 3Rs, including a unit established by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia or Jakim to monitor complaints Choo Keong’s blog were all subjected to unexplained and the MCMC. blocks by local ISPs 15 days before the elections. 79 In June 2022, referring to content relating to the 3Rs, Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said that “MCMC does not have to wait for a report [to be made] as action can be taken to remove the post as MCMC is allowed to do that.”80 In November, MCMC reaffirmed its commitment Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil denies any involvement.83 The Nexus of Freedom: Navigating Expression, Religion, Politics, and Disinformation to monitoring and preventing the dissemination of The digital landscape in Malaysia has become a false information and malicious statements involving battleground between the intersections of freedom the 3Rs. MCMC also urged civilians to police the of expression, political interest, and disinformation. internet through a WhatsApp group set up by the This already complicated relationship is exacerbated MCMC, asking people to lodge screenshots of social by Malaysia’s dual-track legal system that consists media posts that they deem sensitive to the 3Rs. The of the civil and the Syariah Courts that can prosecute establishment of this hotline is a form of policing of Malay Muslims based on religion, sexual orientation free expression as well as a step backward in the and gender identity under the Syariah Criminal country’s democracy. Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997.84 81 82 Malaysia’s mid-2023 elections were marred by Political and conservative groups often utilise digital controversy, including the blocking of websites. The platforms to amplify their narratives that are focused ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, previously on race, religion, gender, and LGBTIQA+. The Center hailed for introducing democratic reforms in 2018, for Independent Journalism (CIJ)’s monitoring finds took a worrying turn by blocking access to four pro- resurfacing ‘kafir harbi’ and ‘Islam is under threat’ opposition media sites. MalaysiaNow, UtusanTV, rhetoric fueled by disinformation campaigns that Malaysia Today, TV Pertiwi and former politician Wee creates a false sense of urgency. 164 Dawn of Digital Dictatorship: Weaponizing the Law Against Online Speech in Southeast Asia