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Fahmi: MCMC to call up TikTok over ‘PK Battle' trend, after concerned parents decry trend's wastefulness, expense
Fahmi: MCMC to call up TikTok over ‘PK Battle' trend, after concerned parents decry trend's wastefulness, expense

Malay Mail

time16 hours ago

  • Entertainment
  • Malay Mail

Fahmi: MCMC to call up TikTok over ‘PK Battle' trend, after concerned parents decry trend's wastefulness, expense

BUKIT MERTAJAM, July 1 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will meet with TikTok's management to seek clarification following growing parental concerns over the popular PK Battle or Personal Knockout Battle trend among the app's young users. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the ministry is taking the matter seriously, particularly regarding reports of children spending large sums of money on in-app gifts simply to participate in the trend. He said an official directive was issued yesterday morning, and the ministry expects TikTok representatives to respond soon, no later than this week. 'This issue has been reported by the media, and we are taking it seriously. Since TikTok has obtained its operating licence here, they need to come forward to provide an explanation and state what steps can be taken to resolve this problem,' he told a press conference after visiting the Kubang Semang National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) here today. Also present were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and Information Department director-general Julina Johan. Fahmi also stressed that the government is committed to protecting minors from inappropriate content on social media platforms. 'That is why we have consistently said that children under 13 should not have accounts on TikTok, Instagram, or any other social media platform. They are highly impressionable and can easily be drawn into trends like PK Battle without understanding the consequences,' he said. On May 28, a non-governmental organisation, Pertubuhan Damai Revolusi Masyarakat, submitted a memorandum to Istana Negara urging royal intervention to ban the PK Battle feature in Malaysia. The group also called on the government to consider the request, arguing that the trend undermines social values and promotes cyberbullying and humiliation. On another development, Fahmi said that efforts to establish the Malaysian Media Council (MMM) are ongoing, though certain financial processes may take time. He said he had tasked Mohamad Fauzi with identifying the most effective mechanisms to ensure the smooth disbursement of funds to the council, even under the newly enforced law, MMM will also be able to source funding from any legal channel. 'I hope that within the next one to two months, we'll be able to hold at least a few preliminary meetings. However, within six months of its formation, the council's founding board must conduct a selection process to appoint the office bearers,' he said. According to Fahmi, the government has yet to hold detailed discussions on the matter so as to give the founding board space to assess several key issues. A formal dialogue may be held in the coming weeks, he said. The establishment of MMM was made possible after the Malaysian Media Council Bill was passed by the Dewan Rakyat on Feb 26 and the Dewan Negara on March 19, before it received the royal assent and subsequently gazetted. Fahmi announced the law's enforcement beginning June 14, in conjunction with the 2025 National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) celebrations, and described it as a landmark media reform that will significantly benefit journalists and media professionals across the country. — Bernama

MCMC to meet TikTok over PK Battle trend concerns
MCMC to meet TikTok over PK Battle trend concerns

The Sun

timea day ago

  • Business
  • The Sun

MCMC to meet TikTok over PK Battle trend concerns

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will meet TikTok's management to address rising concerns over the PK Battle trend, which has drawn criticism from parents due to reports of children spending large sums on in-app gifts. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the ministry issued an official directive today, expecting TikTok to respond promptly. 'Since TikTok operates here, they must explain and propose solutions,' he said after visiting the Kubang Semang National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI). Fahmi reiterated that children under 13 should not have social media accounts, citing their vulnerability to trends like PK Battle. 'They may not understand the consequences, such as financial risks or cyberbullying,' he added. On May 28, Pertubuhan Damai Revolusi Masyarakat submitted a memorandum to Istana Negara urging a ban on PK Battle, claiming it promotes negative social values. Separately, Fahmi updated on the Malaysian Media Council (MMM), noting that financial processes are being finalised. 'Within six months of formation, the council must appoint office bearers,' he said. The MMM Bill was passed earlier this year and enforced on June 14.

MCMC Seeks TikTok's Clarification On Rising Parental Concerns Over PK Battle Trend
MCMC Seeks TikTok's Clarification On Rising Parental Concerns Over PK Battle Trend

Barnama

timea day ago

  • Entertainment
  • Barnama

MCMC Seeks TikTok's Clarification On Rising Parental Concerns Over PK Battle Trend

BUKIT MERTAJAM, June 30 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will meet with TikTok's management to seek clarification following growing parental concerns over the popular PK Battle or Personal Knockout Battle trend among the app's young users. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the ministry is taking the matter seriously, particularly regarding reports of children spending large sums of money on in-app gifts simply to participate in the trend. He said an official directive was issued this morning, and the ministry expects TikTok representatives to respond soon, no later than this week. 'This issue has been reported by the media, and we are taking it seriously. Since TikTok has obtained its operating licence here, they need to come forward to provide an explanation and state what steps can be taken to resolve this problem,' he told a press conference after visiting the Kubang Semang National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) here today. Also present were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and Information Department director-general Julina Johan. Fahmi also stressed that the government is committed to protecting minors from inappropriate content on social media platforms. 'That is why we have consistently said that children under 13 should not have accounts on TikTok, Instagram, or any other social media platform. They are highly impressionable and can easily be drawn into trends like PK Battle without understanding the consequences,' he said. On May 28, a non-governmental organisation, Pertubuhan Damai Revolusi Masyarakat, submitted a memorandum to Istana Negara urging royal intervention to ban the PK Battle feature in Malaysia. The group also called on the government to consider the request, arguing that the trend undermines social values and promotes cyberbullying and humiliation. On another development, Fahmi said that efforts to establish the Malaysian Media Council (MMM) are ongoing, though certain financial processes may take time.

MCMC to summon TikTok over concerns about 'Player Knockout Battle' trend
MCMC to summon TikTok over concerns about 'Player Knockout Battle' trend

The Star

timea day ago

  • Entertainment
  • The Star

MCMC to summon TikTok over concerns about 'Player Knockout Battle' trend

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has been directed to summon TikTok to provide an explanation about the latest trend, "Player Knockout Battle" or "PK Battle," which is causing growing concern among parents. The trend of young children participating in such online challenges is worrying and has prompted the government to consider banning social media for those under 13. "They are too young to understand the impact of such trends," a representative stated. PK Battle is a live-streaming feature on TikTok where two users compete in real time to receive virtual gifts from viewers, which are then converted into cash rewards. Critics argue that the trend has become a form of digital gambling, with increasing concerns over children misusing money, sometimes even their parents' money, to buy these gifts in a bid to gain popularity. Fahmi noted that there was a media report highlighting parental concerns about the money their children are spending just to purchase gifts for these PK Battles. "This has become a serious issue reported by the media, and we are treating it with utmost concern. Since TikTok is a licensed platform, they are required to come forward, explain the situation, and outline the steps they will take to address the matter," he said. He also emphasised that this is one of the reasons why the government, particularly the Ministry of Communications, strongly advocates that children under 13 should not have TikTok, Instagram, or other social media accounts. He stressed that it is very easy for children to get caught up in trends like PK Battle without truly understanding the consequences. "We are expecting a prompt explanation from TikTok, and a directive has been issued this morning. I anticipate that they will meet us sometime this week," he added.

Government summons TikTok over 'PK Battle' trend affecting young people
Government summons TikTok over 'PK Battle' trend affecting young people

New Straits Times

timea day ago

  • Entertainment
  • New Straits Times

Government summons TikTok over 'PK Battle' trend affecting young people

PERMATANG PAUH: The government has issued an order today for TikTok officials to explain the latest trend known as "Player Knockout Battle" or "PK Battle", to the point that some young people are missing school and using their money to buy digital gifts. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the meeting is expected to be held this week. "We view this matter very seriously. I have spoken to Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) executive chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din on the matter. "We have summoned TikTok to explain what measures are being taken since there are concerns raised by parents," he told newsmen here today. It was reported that young people were becoming increasingly fixated on the TikTok trend PK Battle — a live competition between two social media users who compete to earn digital gifts from viewers. Losers are often subjected to various punishments, such as having flour thrown on their faces, being drenched with water, or being made to run outside late at night. . Fahmi said this was one of the reasons why the government curbed TikTok accounts for children under age 13. "They will follow the trend without understanding the consequences," he added. Fahmi was met after visiting the National Information Dissemination Centre Kubang Semang. Earlier, Fahmi met with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to discuss Penang's location for the Malaysia Day celebration this year. "Penang is ready to co-host the event this year. The Cabinet decided in April this year that the celebration also be held in the peninsula aside from Sabah and Sarawak. We held it in Melaka previously," he said.

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