07/01/2026

WEDNESDAY | JAN 7, 2026

5 ‘Social media ban prioritises safety over convenience’

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: A proposed blanket ban on social media access for children aged below 16 is not about convenience or flexibility but about equity, clarity and enforceability, said former Education deputy minister Datuk Seri P. Kamalanathan as debate intensifies over how far the state should go to protect young users online. He said age-based restrictions are a necessary policy response to mounting evidence that children often lack the maturity and cognitive readiness to navigate social media safely, exposing them to growing psychological and systemic risks. “I think it is progressive and needed at the moment, looking at how the risks of not having the maturity to deal with social media are becoming more prevalent,” he told theSun , likening social media use to driving, in which legal age limits exist to protect the individual and the wider public. Kamalanathan said a temporary restriction on social media access until the age of 16 is not about conflating different uses of digital platforms but about placing child protection above convenience. He described the move as delayed access rather than outright denial, allowing young people time to develop emotional maturity and judgement before engaging independently in digital spaces. “Most social media platforms are not designed primarily as educational KUALA LUMPUR: Authorities have been urged to reveal details of items and cash seized during a raid on a safe house allegedly linked to army chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan. Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, a political activist with Pembela Tanah Air, said the request seeks to provide clarity on ongoing probes and keep the public informed. “What is the status of the safe house that was raided? We have images from the operation. What is the outcome of that raid? We have records but we want Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki to publicly announce the seized items. A house was raided and 26 companies are under investigation,” he said at a press conference yesterday. He noted that the lack of information has raised questions, pointing out that in previous high-profile cases, details of seized assets were made public even while investigations were ongoing. “In cases involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri (Yaakob) and others, in which ownership of funds was unclear, authorities went public immediately. Cash, gold bars, seized items, you displayed them all.” Earlier media reports said Muhammad Hafizuddeain is on leave to allow authorities to conduct probes. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin confirmed that the leave took effect immediately and would remain in force until investigations are completed. The MACC has reportedly also identified several other individuals allegedly linked to corruption involving a senior army officer. These leads emerged from ongoing investigations into multiple army procurement tenders pursued over the past weeks. Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

signalling a more interventionist approach by the state in regulating online spaces. However, mental health advocates have cautioned that restricting access altogether could have unintended consequences, particularly for vulnerable youths. Sneham Malaysia founder Datuk Dr Florance Sinniah said the organisation has seen a high volume of teenagers turning to digital platforms to seek support for mental health challenges. “Based on Sneham’s experience, online spaces are often a vital channel for young people to express emotions, seek help and connect with peers or trusted adults.” She warned that restricting access could delay meaningful intervention and increase feelings of isolation, especially if alternative support systems are not readily visible or accessible. She also noted that reliance on phones and digital platforms accelerated sharply during the Covid-19 pandemic, when students were required to continue their education remotely.

She said the generation adapted quickly to digital learning, making online engagement an entrenched part of their daily lives. “Any digital tool, including social media, requires guidance. This is where parents play a critical role, not just in supervising use, but also in building connection and trust with children who are already dealing with many issues.” Florence said a total ban on social media for under-16s is unlikely to be protective in the long term. “Digital life is pervasive and inevitable. Prolonged prohibitions may delay the development of critical thinking, self-regulation and healthy help-seeking, and could push youths towards unmoderated spaces with greater risks when access eventually becomes unrestricted.” She advocated instead for guided digital engagement, supported by parental involvement, clear boundaries and open communication. “It is time parents share the accountability in supervising their children,” she said, adding that guided access could help build emotional resilience and healthier online habits. Police report transfer of senior officers KUALA LUMPUR: Police yesterday announced the transfer and appointment of several senior officers to strategic posts at Bukit Aman and state contingent levels. Its secretary DCP Abdul Rahman Kassim said Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri has been appointed Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director. He said its outgoing director Datuk Wan Hasan Wan Ahmad would take over as head of the IGP (Research and Development) Secretariat at the IGP Secretariat Office, Bernama reported. “Bukit Aman IGP Secretariat Anti-Money Laundering Criminal Investigation Team head Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali has been appointed the new director of the Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department.” He said Sibu district police chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili has been appointed to lead the Sarawak Contingent Management Department with the rank of acting senior assistant commissioner (SAC). “Sarawak Contingent Integrity and Standards Compliance Department head ACP Roselina Daud has been appointed state Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department head, with the acting SAC rank. “Muar Police Technical Academy Mechanical Engineering Studies Centre head ACP Pozlan Ibrahim has been appointed principal assistant director (Religion and Counselling) at the Bukit Aman Integrity and Standards Compliance Department, with the acting rank of SAC.” The transfers will take effect from Feb 9.

o Move allows youth time to develop maturity and judgement before engaging independently in digital spaces: Ex-deputy minister

“Relying heavily on parental capacity creates significant gaps in protection and outcomes,” he said, citing disparities in digital awareness, time constraints and enforcement across households. He added that a blanket ban establishes equity and clarity, ensuring all students receive the same baseline protection regardless of family circumstances or socioeconomic background. The Online Safety Act 2025 came into force on Jan 1, introducing a statutory framework aimed at strengthening online safety and protecting children and families. The Act places greater responsibility on platform providers to manage harmful content, cyberbullying, online exploitation and other digital risks through improved safety mechanisms, while

tools. Their core architecture is driven by engagement, algorithmic amplification and commercial interests,” he noted. He said even when platforms are used for learning or communication, students remain exposed to systemic risks, such as distraction, data exploitation, inappropriate content and harmful social comparison. “A clear ban creates a simple, enforceable boundary during formative years, reducing exposure to these risks.” He also argued that digital literacy and online skills could be cultivated within controlled environments, without granting unrestricted access to open social media ecosystems. Kamalanathan said while parental supervision and guided use are ideal in theory, they are unevenly applied in practice.

Call to reveal details of raid in army official corruption case

Chegubard noted that the lack of information has raised questions, pointing out that in previous high-profile cases, details of seized assets were made public even while investigations were ongoing. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN