The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has blocked a video post by a Chinese Muslim preacher on an eye-dotting ritual Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim performed during a Chinese New Year event.
Firdaus Wong Wai Hung was informed of MCMC's decision through another post, in which he shared screenshots of the original video post, which Facebook restricted at MCMC's request.
"Was my video summary defamatory to the point that a government agency had to request Meta to restrict it?
"I have no political agenda—my review was done in good faith!
“I provided references and data using respectful language, without insults or slander, yet a government agency was misused to limit the video?” he asked.
Firdaus added that MCMC's request was only fair if the video was defamatory. He had not criticized Anwar but thought that Anwar may not have received the correct information about the eye-dotting ritual.
For context, he said that the eye-dotting ritual was rooted in ancient Chinese belief and Muslims should not be involved in such actions that may compromise their belief.
In another post, Firdaus responded to an article by the Head of the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM), Mohamed Azam Mohamed Adil who said that the eye-dotting ritual is more of a cultural thing.
He cited information from the National Department for Culture and Arts in Malaysia (JKKN) which stated that the eye-dotting ritual is to bring luck.
"I do not insist or force anyone to accept my views. I also do not use the argument, "I am Chinese, so I know Chinese customs and culture better," because to me, what matters is not who is speaking but the evidence they present.
"The IKIM Director-General or anyone else attempting to justify the practice of eye-dotting as merely a cultural tradition with no religious significance must first get government agencies like JKKN to revise or remove their interpretations. They must also persuade the majority, if not all, of the non-Muslim Chinese lion dance experts to change their understanding of the practice," he said.
This is not the first time MCMC has requested social media platforms to block or restrict access to posts and videos.
Previously, lawyer Shamsher Singh Thind posted on the award of a government contract to the husband of Sport and Youth Minister Hanah Yeoh, which prompted MCMC to request that Facebook restrict its visibility.
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