Meta Platforms, the parent company of social media giant Facebook, has restored social media posts by Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, concerning the late political leader of Hamas, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. The posts were removed last week, but Meta has now admitted that their removal was in error.
In a statement released by Meta Platforms, the company apologized for the removal of the posts and explained that they had been mistakenly taken down due to a technical error. The company stated that they have now restored the posts and that they are working to ensure that similar errors do not occur in the future.
The posts in question were made by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob on his Facebook page, where he paid tribute to Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, who was the founder and spiritual leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. In his posts, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob praised Sheikh Ahmed Yassin for his contributions to the Palestinian cause and described him as a hero.
The removal of the posts sparked controversy in Malaysia, with many accusing Meta Platforms of censorship and bias. The Malaysian government also criticized the removal of the posts, with Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa calling it a violation of freedom of speech.
Meta Platforms’ admission of error and the restoration of the posts have been welcomed by many in Malaysia, who see it as a victory for freedom of expression. However, the incident has also raised concerns about the power that tech companies like Meta Platforms have over online speech and the need for greater transparency and accountability in their decision-making processes.
Overall, the restoration of Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s posts is a positive development and a reminder of the importance of upholding freedom of expression, even in the digital age. It serves as a reminder that social media platforms have a responsibility to ensure that their content moderation practices are fair, transparent, and in line with principles of free speech.
