Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil told parliament that the government needed to amend existing laws to tackle online harm including scams, cyber-bullying, paedophilia and child pornography.

“Freedom of speech does exist, but we are also given power through parliament to impose any necessary restrictions for the safety of the public,” said Fahmi.

The bill imposes stricter penalties on content violations and grants sweeping powers to law enforcement, such as the right of any authorised officer to search and seize without a warrant. Service providers may also be held liable under the law and compelled to disclose user data to authorities during investigations of alleged violations.

More than 20 consultation sessions were held with stakeholders in drafting the bill, Fahmi said.

Governments across Asia are clamping down on online platforms and holding Big Tech firms accountable for illegal content. From Kuala Lumpur to New Delhi and Canberra, officials are increasingly looking for ways to regulate or curtail social media, which can sway public opinion on politically sensitive issues.

Big tech firms, including Meta, have said in the past that they comply with local regulations that overregulate and endanger public discourse and place an unfair burden on online platforms.

The House of Representatives voted 59-40 in favour of the bill . The vote followed a lengthy debate over details, including what constitutes hate speech and the powers bestowed upon any authorised officer to act without a warrant. One parliamentarian abstained from voting.

The bill was eventually passed without any changes and will be brought to the Senate for approval.