Aside from the sedition charge, Fahmi was reportedly notified by X (formerly Twitter) that the MCMC had ordered the platform to remove his post criticizing the Johor Regent, which the platform refused to do201. His post remained publicly visible on X and Facebook at the time of the report on December 17, 2025. Under Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, control of information has been extensive. The government has attempted to require social media platforms with over eight million users to obtain a license to operate in the country. However, because many of them had not complied with the registration in 2025, the government adopted a new approach by automatically designating qualifying platforms as license holders starting January 1, 2026202. According to the MCMC, platforms that meet the criteria include WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube203. The Online Safety Act, a new law governing social media platforms, was also enacted in May 2025204. The law grants the government authority to take legal action against social media platforms for running fraudulent advertisements and failing to comply with regulations205. Despite concerns that it could be used to restrict freedom of speech, the government claimed that it was specifically designed to protect the safety of social media users 206. Following its promulgation, the MCMC reportedly developed 10 sub-legislations under the law to strengthen accountability among licensed service providers in addressing online harms, which are expected to be completed by June 2026207. Kamarulzaman, Zikri. “Fahmi Reza Targets Johor Regent; Death Threat, Police Reports Ensue.” Malaysiakini, 17 Dec. 2025, www.malaysiakini.com/news/763639. 202. “Social Media Platforms With Over 8 Million Users Deemed Registered From Jan 1.” Free Malaysia Today, 15 Dec. 2025, www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/12/15/social-media-platformswith-over-8mil-users-deemed-registered-from-jan-1. 203. “Social Media Platforms ‘Registered’ From Jan 1.” New Straits Times, 16 Dec. 2025, www.nst.com.my/ news/nation/2025/12/1337933/social-media-platforms-registered-jan-1. 204. Iskandar, Iylia Marsya, and Qistina Sallehuddin. “Azalina: Online Safety Act to Take Effect Jan 1, 2026.” New Straits Times, 13 Nov. 2025, www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/11/1314384/azalina-onlinesafety-act-take-effect-jan-1-2026. 205. Aryf, Dania Kamal. “Fahmi: Online Safety Act Lets Govt Take Legal Action Against Meta.” Malaysiakini, 7 Nov. 2025, www.malaysiakini.com/news/760145. 206. Tan, Rex. “Online Safety Act Will Protect, Not Control, SocialMedia Users, Says MCMC.” Free Malaysia Today, 15 Dec. 2025, www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/12/15/online-safety-actwill-protect-not-control-social-media-users-says-mcmc. 207. As, Mohamad Al, and Nor Ain Mohamed Radhi, “MCMC Drafting 10 Subsidiary Laws Under Online Safety Act – Fahmi.” New Straits Times, 3 Nov. 2025, www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/11/1307634/ mcmc-drafting-10-subsidiary-laws-under-online-safety-act-fahmi. 201. 49