KUALA LUMPUR, April 29, 2026 — Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil today called for stronger digital literacy to combat online violence and protect women across ASEAN, stressing that users must understand their rights, responsibilities and risks in cyberspace.
Fahmi was speaking at a special panel session titled “Online Safety and Harassment – Combating Online Violence and Promoting Digital Safety for Women in ASEAN” held at the Asian International Arbitration Centre here. The session was part of the Women’s Rights Conference 2026 themed “Together We Create PowHER” and organised by the ASEAN Law Association Standing Committee for Women in Law.
Joining panellists from Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, Fahmi highlighted the growing complexity of online threats and the urgent need to empower users through education.
“Digital literacy needs to be continuously strengthened so that every user understands their rights, responsibilities and risks in the cyber world to ensure safety from increasingly complex threats,” he said.
He described digital literacy as a fundamental right that is often missing from basic education. “We often demand fast and cheap internet, but we never really demand or know our rights when it comes to safer internet,” Fahmi added.
The minister also emphasised the importance of safeguarding children under 16 from online harms, including cyberbullying, gender-based violence and exposure to sexual predators. He noted that Malaysia is studying measures such as age restrictions on social media use for minors, similar to steps taken by Indonesia, Australia, the United Kingdom and Spain.
The discussion aligns with the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms signed by ASEAN last year. Fahmi further urged technology companies to comply with national laws, stating that Big Tech is not above the law.
The event underscores Malaysia’s ongoing commitment to regional cooperation in creating a safer digital environment for women and vulnerable groups.
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