Meta apologizes to the Prime Minister following extensive media coverage in Arab countries

KUALA LUMPUR: Meta Platforms has issued an apology following the removal of posts from the Facebook and Instagram accounts of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim concerning the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. The apology has received widespread media coverage in Arab and Arabic-speaking countries.

According to Bernama, the report was covered by various platforms including masrawy.com and aawsat.com based in Egypt, alroya.com (Oman), sarayanews.com (Jordan), alalam.ir (Iran), alquds.co.uk and alghad.ty (UK), aljazeera.net, alaraby.com (Qatar), and alwatannews.com (Bahrain).

Malaysia has demanded an explanation from Meta after the condolence posts following Haniyeh’s death were removed from Facebook and Instagram accounts.

“We apologize for the operational error that led to the removal of posts from the Prime Minister’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. The posts have been restored with the correct news label,” said a Meta spokesperson in response to an email query from Reuters.

On Monday, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) summoned Meta to provide an explanation regarding the removal of content related to the Palestine issue on Anwar’s social media platforms.

The Prime Minister’s Office expressed its discontent with Meta’s action of removing posts from the Prime Minister that conveyed condolences and respect for Haniyeh on Facebook and Instagram on May 14 and July 30.

Discrimination and Unfairness

“The Prime Minister’s Office views Meta’s actions as a form of discrimination, unfairness, and a restriction on freedom of expression.

“It is also an affront to the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people for justice and human rights,” according to the Prime Minister’s Office statement.

Also present at the meeting with Meta were Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil and Chairman of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din.