Meta removing PM's Posts Smacks Of Double Standards, Say Observers 

By Siti Baaqiah Mamat

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 (Bernama) -- Meta Platforms Inc (Meta) removing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's posts on the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh on Wednesday has been deemed an act of double standards.

Dr Mazlan Ali, an Associate Professor at the Perdana Centre, Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, said Meta's assessment of the posts indicates that the social media service provider is biased towards the situation in Palestine and its leaders.

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"The guidelines set by Meta are based on a Western interpretation that is pro-Israel, where they view Hamas as a terrorist organisation, which is different from our country's view of the movement as fighting for their independence and homeland.

"This interpretation (by Meta) is one-sided and is considered biased and unfair because Meta should treat various geopolitical viewpoints equally since their platform is used globally. They should not define from their own perspective only and should consider all viewpoints," he told Bernama.

Mazlan added that Meta should also respect the statements issued by the Prime Minister as they represent the official views of a sovereign government and country. 

Universiti Utara Malaysia School of Multimedia Technology and Communications dean Associate Professor Dr Mohd Khairie Ahmad believes that Meta's guidelines are too general, potentially leading to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) settings that may automatically remove the post.

Mohd Khairie said Anwar's posts should not have been removed as they did not contain any elements of incitement or pose a danger to any party.

"I had a chance to view the posts, which only contained pictures, visuals and videos depicting a meeting between two leaders. In my opinion, they did not contain elements that could cause problems or disrupt global harmony.

"While the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled that Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal, the faces of Israeli leaders in posts worldwide remain free from Meta's interference, clearly showing bias," he said.

Mohd Khairie added that Meta's action in removing a post without provocative or defamatory content is also seen as undermining the freedom of speech of a country.

"Meta needs to explain its action because the Prime Minister is not an ordinary individual but is recognised as a leader of the Islamic world.

"Meta must clarify whether the removal of the post is associated with extremist support because if true, it can be considered a very negative perception and an attempt to tarnish Malaysia's name," he said.

-- BERNAMA