ASEAN Coordinates Efforts To Address Social Media Challenges After 47th Summit - Fahmi

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- ASEAN countries will coordinate several joint measures to strengthen efforts in addressing social media challenges after the 47th ASEAN Summit, scheduled to take place from Oct 26 to 28.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the coordination would be implemented through the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on more responsible use of social media and is expected to be one of the key documents adopted at the summit.

"The adoption of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration is the result of discussions among Ministers Responsible for Information last May in Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei).

"Through that discussion, most communications ministers from the ASEAN region agreed that we need a joint strategy and to take joint steps to address current challenges related to social media issues.

"We need to be united to create similar or identical legislation and take immediate action," he told reporters after the ASEAN Friendship Concert 2025 at the Seri Angkasa Auditorium, Angkasapuri Kota Media, here tonight.

He said that although ASEAN countries differ in terms of size and role, including some being regional operating centres for social media giants like Meta and TikTok, all countries are still affected when facing online safety issues.

"We know ASEAN has countries of large size, some of very small size, some countries that serve as regional headquarters for large companies like Meta, Facebook and so on, but on the issue of online safety, we are all affected if there are problems in social media such as scams, online gambling and so on.

"So, God willing, after the 47th ASEAN Summit, several matters will be coordinated among ASEAN ministers responsible for the information portfolio to address social media challenges," he said.

Regarding preparations for the upcoming summit, Fahmi said that overall, the conference's readiness level has reached between 85 to 90 per cent and is expected to reach 100 per cent by the official opening day.

This readiness includes ensuring that all technical requirements involving increased bandwidth and the installation of 5G facilities have been completed to ensure media practitioners enjoy fast and stable Internet access throughout the conference.

He also informed that he would personally inspect the facilities and smooth operation of the International Media Center (IMC) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on October 22.

This will be followed by a meeting with media practitioners to provide the latest information on the final preparations ahead of the summit.

In the meantime, Fahmi also expressed his delight with the successful organisation of the ASEAN Friendship Concert 2025, which he described as a symbol of the spirit of brotherhood and regional unity ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit.

"This is the first time we are witnessing not only the 10 ASEAN nations participating, but this time there is an 11th country, Timor-Leste, which will officially join ASEAN on October 26.

"Surely this is a good opportunity for us to listen and witness the young talents from the Southeast Asian region," he said, while congratulating Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) for the successful organisation of the concert.

-- BERNAMA