The Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA 98) seeks to promote Malaysia’s enshrined national policy aspirations via the communications and multimedia industry. A vital provision in the Act’s chartered objectives is the establishment of a regime of self-regulation, to better achieve its noble purpose and keep it unblemished.
The activities regulated under the CMA 98 cover traditional broadcasting, telecommunications and online services including the facilities and networks employed in providing such services, as well as the content supplied via facilities and networks. Cognisant of the evolving nature of this emerging media landscape in which a gamut of standalone industries are converging, the CMA 98 provides for the formation of CMCF.
Designated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), this Forum acts as the mechanism to formulate and implement developed codes of practice for the communications and multimedia industry. The CMCF will uphold these codes, to ensure they serve as a guide for the industry to operate and flourish.
The CMCF will govern content by self regulation in line with with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Content Code. By virtue of it being a voluntary Code, those subscribing to it have undertaken the commitment and responsibility to uphold its objectives and principles. Dato' Borhanuddin Osman has taken office as the new Chairman for the next term. En Mohd Mustaffa Fazil Abdan is the Executive Director, overseeing the operations of the organisation.
The Constitution of the CMCF states that a Complaints Bureau be established under Article XIII, to deal with complaints. The Bureau is empowered by the Council to impose sanctions on any member who is considered to have breached the Content Code. The Complaints Bureau is currently headed by a permanent Complaints Bureau Chairman, Datuk Mohamed Bazain bin Idris. His tenure began in 2006.
