Fahmi Summons TikTok, Warns Meta Next

By The Malketeer

Malaysia’s Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has fired a warning shot at global tech giants, putting social platforms on notice for their sluggish response to fake news and harmful content.

Speaking after the AI Grand Prix Conference 2025, Fahmi revealed that TikTok’s top management has been summoned to Bukit Aman this Thursday following delays in assisting the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) on an investigation into a viral fake news post.

The post involved an individual impersonating a pathologist in the tragic Zara Qairina Mahathir case.

Frustrated with the platform’s response, Fahmi went straight to the top.

“I had to call TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew and tell him, ‘this is a crime that’s being committed and your organisation is very slow’,” he said.

The meeting will also involve the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney General, underscoring the gravity of the issue.

But TikTok is not alone.

Fahmi confirmed that Meta Platforms Inc., parent of Facebook and Instagram, will also be called in to explain failures to curb “immoral” content, particularly paedophilia-related material spread through groups such as Geng Budak Sekolah.

Beyond Enforcement: New Policies Looming

At the same event, Fahmi signalled a possible policy shift that will directly impact digital commerce and advertising: mandatory identity verification for all online sales and social media ads.

“Many crimes on social media are carried out by perpetrators hiding behind fake accounts,” he said.

Fraud, scams, deepfakes, and gambling ads were all cited as symptoms of anonymous misuse.

Fahmi pointed out that Singapore already enforces such measures and suggested Malaysia could follow suit.

Adding weight to the agenda, Malaysia will table the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms at the 47th ASEAN Summit in October.

This could set the stage for region-wide standards affecting how platforms operate and how brands engage with consumers.

Why This Matters for Marketers

1. Compliance is Now Strategy
   Digital campaigns will soon require stricter ID checks and platform verification. Marketers must prepare for longer lead times and stricter onboarding processes when running ads or selling products via social platforms.
2. Reputation at Stake
   With platforms being hauled up publicly, brands advertising on them risk collateral damage if fake news or harmful content spreads unchecked. Building internal crisis playbooks around misinformation is now non-negotiable.
3. Authenticity Wins
   In an age of deepfakes and scams, consumers will gravitate towards verified, transparent brands. Marketers who double down on credibility and traceable storytelling will gain long-term trust.
4. Regional Ripple Effects
   The Kuala Lumpur Declaration hints at ASEAN-wide harmonisation. For regional marketers, this means adapting campaigns not only to Malaysian law but to a broader Southeast Asian compliance framework.
5. Tech as a Partner, Not Just a Medium
   Agencies and brands can no longer treat platforms as neutral media spaces. They must actively engage platform representatives to ensure campaign safety, moderation standards, and swift escalation protocols.

Fahmi Fadzil’s hard line against TikTok and Meta is more than a regulatory tussle, it is a reminder for marketers.

Social platforms in Malaysia are entering a new era of scrutiny where speed, transparency, and responsibility are not just expected of the tech giants but also of the brands that advertise on them.

For marketers, the message is clear: adapt fast, audit your digital practices, and invest in authenticity because in the coming landscape, compliance and credibility will be the ultimate competitive edge.