KUCHING: The freedom of speech is a fundamental right that must be exercised responsibly, according to Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Safety Communications Department head, Saidatul Ashikin Abu Hassan.
“This is important to avoid undermining public order, security, or the rights of others. Freedom of expression is not absolute. We must strike a balance between individual liberties and the collective interests of society,” she said during her talk entitled “Balancing Act: Freedom of Expression vs. Responsible Online Behaviour in Malaysia” at the Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2024, held at Riverside Majestic Hotel on Sunday.
Saidatul said that Malaysia could empower its citizens to exercise their freedom of expression responsibly by investing in education and advocacy.
“One key initiative in this regard is the ‘Klik Dengan Bijak’ (KDB) programme, which educates the public on using the Internet in a positive, productive, and responsible manner based on the principles of Rukun Negara,” she added.
Additionally, Saidatul highlighted the Malaysian ICT Volunteers (MIV) initiative, which recruits volunteers with ICT skills to serve their local communities and promote responsible online behaviour.
“To date, the programme has reached a total audience of more than 17 million people,” she said.
