PUTRAJAYA: Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil will meet the representatives of social media platforms, including Meta next month to discuss the removal of several posts on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's meeting with Hamas leaders.
At a press conference today, Fahmi said at least three media companies had informed his office about the posts that were taken down on their social media accounts.
They were Malaysiakini, Malaysia Gazette and Sinar Harian, he said.
"The reason provided was because the posts shared symbols of associations defined as dangerous. However, when we examined the posts, we found none of the aspects alleged by Meta.
"God willing, we will meet all these social media platform representatives in June, and I will raise the matter for an explanation so that reports about the official activities (of Anwar) will not be treated in such a manner," he said.
In condemning Meta, Fahmi also said its action had violated the right to freedom of the media.
Following this, he added that a letter to Meta had been submitted by the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to seek clarification on the matter.
"I regret that such actions were done by an organisation that is based in the United States. They did not respect the rights to media freedom to utilise their platform."
He also said a similar incident also took place in the unity government's rally in Axiata Arena, where postings related to Anwar's speech on Palestine were taken down by social media platforms.
"However, the posts were re-uploaded after we sought clarification (from Meta). Hence, I will follow up (with them)."
Yesterday, Anwar, who is on an official visit to Qatar, met Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and former Hamas chairman Khaled Mashal.
In the meeting, Anwar said he was briefed about the worsening situation in Gaza and Rafah, which had been ravaged by Israeli attacks for the past eight months.
