KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 -- The internet and social media, previously among the main drivers of reforms and change in social and political structures here, have become a hindrance to the same as they have been taken over for negative speech.

Australian National University's College of Asia and the Pacific researcher and lecturer Ross Tapsell said that in the aftermath of 15th general election, Malaysia faces a conundrum of allowing freedom of expression with open, accessible social media platforms, but at the same time regulating disinformation, hate and inciteful discourse that has been emerging.

In particular, Tapsell said Malaysia is struggling with how to navigate the new media to instigate democratic change.

"As it has done for over 2...