Viral TikTok Video Warning of Communist Influence Is Censored in Malaysia

The former foreign minister accused a nonprofit of promoting communism, which is illegal in Malaysia.

The TikTok logo is pictured outside the company's U.S. head office in Culver City, Calif., on Sept. 15, 2020. Mike Blake/Reuters

A video on the TikTok platform with content warning about Chinese communist influence in Malaysia has been censored for viewers in the Southeast Asian country.

Malaysia-based users of the China-owned video platform reported they were unable to access the video, which had gone viral, of a March 25 press conference by former Foreign Minister Rais Yatim announcing he filed a police report alleging communist activity by a Malaysian nonprofit organization.

The Epoch Times confirmed reports by Malaysians who discovered that while the video of Yatim’s comments was not accessible in the country, it was visible through a VPN connection or with IP addresses outside of Malaysia.

Yatim, in a seven-minute video statement, said that he had lodged a police report against the Malaysian One China Peaceful Unification Promotion Association, raising concerns about the group promoting communist ideology in Malaysia through its activities, which is illegal. Communism is explicitly prohibited in Malaysia, where it is considered a threat to its national security and sovereignty.

Communism was banned in response to the Malayan Emergency of 1948–1960, when communist insurgents waged a guerrilla war against the government. The ideology has since been associated with violence, foreign influence, and political instability in Malaysia’s history.

The complaint involves Malaysia’s Penal Code that relates to the promotion of ideologies deemed harmful or illegal and its Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which regulates the dissemination of content online.

Yatim also questioned the group’s legal status in the country under the Societies Act 1966, as under Malaysian law, groups of seven or more people sharing a common interest need to register with the Registrar of Societies to operate.

The group is now under police investigation, with Inspector-General of the Police Razarudin Husain vowing a thorough investigation to act against any revival of communism threatening Malaysia’s sovereignty, according to a police statement.

The group on March 28 issued a statement calling the allegations “baseless.” It said it has been registered as a nonprofit with the Registrar of Societies since 2020 and that its activities align with Malaysia’s “One China” foreign policy. Malaysia does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but maintains informal trade and cultural offices in Taipei. It said it is cooperating with police probes.

“The association’s mission is to support Malaysia’s adherence to the One China policy, oppose activities that disrupt social harmony, and promote positive cooperation between Malaysia and overseas entities to enhance Malaysia’s economic and social development,” the statement read.

Yatim said he made the police complaint after being sent a video showing clear evidence of the organization promoting communist ideology, including at events on Penang Island, with school students singing songs containing communist lyrics and waving the communist flag of China.

Concerns were also raised about whether the group is an arm of the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department posing as a non-governmental organization.

Concerns About China Policing TikTok

Screenshot on April 6, 2025, of a TikTok video censored for viewers in Malaysia. Screenshot via The Epoch Times/TikTok

It remains unclear what caused the TikTok video to be banned in Malaysia. The Epoch Times has reached out to TikTok for comment.

The Malaysian government has previously said that it does not possess the authority to directly block TikTok content or accounts. The Twitter files in the United States revealed that social media platforms have complied with government requests, including removing or shadowbanning politically charged content.

Malaysia Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution has said that content removal on the platform is typically decided by TikTok itself, according to its community guidelines, including strict restrictions on misinformation and political advertising.

Governments around the world have expressed concern that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) could police and ultimately control content on the TikTok platform, as long as TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, remains based in China and subject to China’s laws.

Various U.S. companies have expressed interest in buying TikTok so it’s not banned in the United States under a divest-or-ban law.

A ByteDance spokesperson said in an April 4 statement that, “An agreement has not been executed.”

“There are key matters to be resolved. Any agreement will be subject to approval under Chinese law,” the spokesperson said.

After President Donald Trump sought to ban TikTok during his first term in 2020, the CCP updated its export restrictions to include technologies used by ByteDance’s algorithm.