Teo Nie Ching: Deadline for Social Media Platforms to Apply for Licenses is December 31

Kuala Lumpur, Dec 27 – Social media platform providers are urged to register for their service licenses before the implementation of the Application Service Provider Class License on January 1, 2025. Deputy Minister of Communications, Teo Nie Ching, stated that the application deadline is December 31, 2024.

She also praised Telegram and Tencent (WeChat) for starting the necessary licensing process for operating in Malaysia.

“Thank you to Tencent and Telegram for cooperating and complying with the regulations set by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). I hope other platforms will follow their example because if they (platform providers) want to offer services in Malaysia, they must comply with the regulations,” she said after visiting veteran actor S. Shamsuddin, known as Sadiah, who is recovering from a stroke, during the Ziarah Seni MADANI @ FINAS event.

Support for Industry Practitioners
Teo also mentioned that FINAS aims to assist at least 100 industry practitioners next year. As of today, 48 individuals have received aid, which is intended to alleviate the burdens of industry professionals, especially in terms of welfare and health.

Teo personally handed over aid to Sadiah, who is widely known for his role as "Ravi" in the sitcom Pi Mai Pi Mai Tang Tu.

Creative Arts Program
Regarding the Creative Arts Program launching on January 1, 2025, Teo shared that as of December 20, 6,981 active freelancers had registered for the program, with 5,065 participating in the "Matching Contribution Plan 2.0." The second phase of this plan is 90% government-funded, with a contribution amount of RM209.50, and the annual total contribution is capped at RM232.80.