Latest news with #CommunicationsandMultimediaAct
Malaysiakini
3 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Police launch investigation into PSM Youth's LGBTQ+ event
The police have launched an investigation into PSM Youth's LGBTQ+ workshop. Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan said the probe is being conducted under Section 298A of the Penal Code, which criminalises disturbing public tranquillity by insulting or undermining any religion, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998. "The programme is seen as...
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Activist Fahmi Reza claims banned from entering Sabah
Fahmi Reza showing the notice from the Sabah Immigration Department. — Pictures from Instagram/kuasasiswa KOTA KINABALU (May 29): Graphic artist and activist Fahmi Reza claimed he was deported back to Kuala Lumpur after being denied entry into Sabah upon arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport today. Fahmi, known for his satirical political artworks, shared a notice on Instagram that appeared to be from the Sabah Immigration Department. The notice cited Section 65(1)(a) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which grants Sabah authorities discretionary power to bar entry. Dated May 29, 2025 and addressed to him personally, it read: 'The State Authority has directed that no pass be issued to you to enter the State of Sabah.' The notice was timestamped 11.30am. Earlier this year, Fahmi faced investigations under the Sedition Act, the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA), and the Penal Code after sharing an illustration on Sabah Governor Tun Musa Aman. The Native Court of Keningau also announced plans to summon Fahmi over the caricature, which it deemed an insult to Musa and the Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDM) community. The artwork had been widely shared online and painted on public buildings in Kota Kinabalu.
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
‘Treat AI-generated child abuse material as real crime'
PETALING JAYA: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create child sexual abuse material (CSAM) must be treated with the same severity as physical abuse, said MCA information chief Chan Quin Er. She said there is no such thing as 'fake' child abuse when AI-generated images depict minors in sexually explicit situations. Such content still constitutes a criminal offence under existing Malaysian laws. 'Whether the image is real, digitally altered or entirely computer-generated, once it portrays a child in a sexual context, it amounts to a clear act of violation,' she said in a statement. Chan cited several legal frameworks that address such offences, including the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which criminalises the creation, possession or distribution of CSAM regardless of whether it is AI-generated. She also referred to Section 292 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, both of which cover the circulation of obscene content. In addition, she highlighted the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022, which encompasses a broader definition of sexual harassment, including digital forms. Chan warned that normalising AI-generated CSAM through entertainment or social media risks eroding public understanding of what constitutes a criminal offence. 'There's a perception that if it's not real, then it's not a big deal. However, if it involves a child and is sexual in nature, it is a crime. The creation or distribution of deepfake child pornography must be met with the full force of the law.' Following Chan's statement, theSun spoke with two cybersecurity experts, both of whom highlighted the growing dangers of AI in public spaces. Global Centre for Cyber Safety director Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Husin Jazri described AI-generated CSAM as a 'real and formidable' threat, driven by the increasing accessibility of generative AI tools. While Malaysia has multiple cybersecurity agencies, he said there is a need for a more cohesive and proactive approach. 'Such cases often go unnoticed because we lack a centralised body focused specifically on digital safety for individuals. A dedicated centre based at a university could lead research, education and policy development, provided it receives the necessary support.' He added that cyber safety has yet to be systematically integrated into school curricula, leaving many parents without adequate guidance. 'A structured public awareness campaign would go a long way in helping families take preventative measures.' Universiti Malaya cybersecurity specialist Dr Nor Badrul Anuar Jumaat said the rise of generative AI has significantly altered the landscape of online exploitation. 'With advanced tools such as OpenAI's Sora, Google's Veo and image generators such as Midjourney and Stable Diffusion, criminals can now produce realistic fake images or videos using nothing more than simple text prompts.' He added that photographs of children shared on social media can be misused and manipulated with AI voice cloning tools, such as and Dr Badrul said one of the most immediate solutions lies in educating parents. 'Parents must understand that even ordinary photos, such as a child in school uniform or at home, can reveal too much. Once online, this content can be copied, altered and repurposed.' He advised parents to exercise caution by adjusting privacy settings, avoiding posts with location or identifying details, and involving their children in decisions about what content is shared. He also recommended educational resources such as the MCMC's Klik Dengan Bijak campaign and UMCybersafe as valuable tools to raise awareness on the issue.
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
MCA: AI child abuse images are criminal offences
PETALING JAYA: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create child sexual abuse material (CSAM) must be treated with the same severity as physical abuse, said MCA information chief Chan Quin Er. She said there is no such thing as 'fake' child abuse when AI-generated images depict minors in sexually explicit situations. Such content still constitutes a criminal offence under existing Malaysian laws. 'Whether the image is real, digitally altered or entirely computer-generated, once it portrays a child in a sexual context, it amounts to a clear act of violation,' she said in a statement. Chan cited several legal frameworks that address such offences, including the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which criminalises the creation, possession or distribution of CSAM regardless of whether it is AI-generated. She also referred to Section 292 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, both of which cover the circulation of obscene content. In addition, she highlighted the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022, which encompasses a broader definition of sexual harassment, including digital forms. Chan warned that normalising AI-generated CSAM through entertainment or social media risks eroding public understanding of what constitutes a criminal offence. 'There's a perception that if it's not real, then it's not a big deal. However, if it involves a child and is sexual in nature, it is a crime. The creation or distribution of deepfake child pornography must be met with the full force of the law.' Following Chan's statement, theSun spoke with two cybersecurity experts, both of whom highlighted the growing dangers of AI in public spaces. Global Centre for Cyber Safety director Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Husin Jazri described AI-generated CSAM as a 'real and formidable' threat, driven by the increasing accessibility of generative AI tools. While Malaysia has multiple cybersecurity agencies, he said there is a need for a more cohesive and proactive approach. 'Such cases often go unnoticed because we lack a centralised body focused specifically on digital safety for individuals. A dedicated centre based at a university could lead research, education and policy development, provided it receives the necessary support.' He added that cyber safety has yet to be systematically integrated into school curricula, leaving many parents without adequate guidance. 'A structured public awareness campaign would go a long way in helping families take preventative measures.' Universiti Malaya cybersecurity specialist Dr Nor Badrul Anuar Jumaat said the rise of generative AI has significantly altered the landscape of online exploitation. 'With advanced tools such as OpenAI's Sora, Google's Veo and image generators such as Midjourney and Stable Diffusion, criminals can now produce realistic fake images or videos using nothing more than simple text prompts.' He added that photographs of children shared on social media can be misused and manipulated with AI voice cloning tools, such as and Dr Badrul said one of the most immediate solutions lies in educating parents. 'Parents must understand that even ordinary photos, such as a child in school uniform or at home, can reveal too much. Once online, this content can be copied, altered and repurposed.' He advised parents to exercise caution by adjusting privacy settings, avoiding posts with location or identifying details, and involving their children in decisions about what content is shared. He also recommended educational resources such as the MCMC's Klik Dengan Bijak campaign and UMCybersafe as valuable tools to raise awareness on the issue.
Borneo Post
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Govt urged to stop weaponising laws against voices of UMS students
KOTA KINABALU (May 24): Amnesty International Malaysia has urged the government to drop all investigations against six students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) who were summoned to the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters (IPD) for investigations under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (1998). Its Interim Executive Director, Vilasini Vijandran, said the investigation of thebstudent activists is a deeply concerning attack on freedom of expression. Peacefully voicing criticisms and making demands through a press conference should never be treated as criminal offenses. 'The timing of these investigations — just weeks ahead of the Perhimpunan Aman Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally in Kota Kinabalu — also sends a chilling message of intimidation by the Malaysian authorities. The Madani government must recognize that targeting student activists in this way not only suppresses youth voices but also risks fostering a culture of fear and self-censorship among them,' she said in a statement on Saturday. Vilasini said a moratorium on investigations under the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) is meaningless if authorities continue to rely on other repressive laws to stifle civic participation. 'This incident proves why amending the PAA alone is not enough — without systemic reforms and genuine respect for human rights, there will always remain ways to clamp down on public dissent. 'We urge the government to drop all investigations against the UMS students and commit to comprehensive legislative reforms that protect — not punish — peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. At this juncture, we need more than vague promises and minor amendments to legislation; we need the political will and systemic reform to dismantle the arsenal of laws used to silence public dissent in Malaysia,' she said. On May 22, the six UMS student activists were summoned to IPD Kota Kinabalu following a police report lodged against them. The students are being investigated under Section 500 of the Penal Code (defamation) and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (improper use of network facilities) after holding a press conference related to the upcoming Perhimpunan Aman Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 rally, scheduled for June 21–22 in Kota Kinabalu. This is not the first time UMS student activists have been targeted. In February 2025, UMS student leader Fadhil Kasim was charged under the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) — for failing to provide prior notice of an assembly — despite the government's earlier pledge to reform the law. The charges were later dropped following widespread pressure mounted by the public and civil society groups. Amnesty International Malaysia has repeatedly highlighted how the use of outdated laws to investigate and harass activists in Malaysia reflects a broader pattern of repression and undermines the credibility of the government's own reform commitments.
