Over 130,000 Scam-related Content Items Removed As Of Sept 30 - Fahmi

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has submitted nearly 140,000 requests to service providers to take down scam-related content, with 95 per cent or 133,348 content items successfully removed between Jan 1, 2022, and Sept 30, 2025, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil revealed that 50,160 requests were made to remove cyberbullying content, with 77 per cent or 38,470 pieces of content successfully taken down within the same period.

“These takedown actions are based on public complaints and each platform’s community guidelines, in line with local laws,” he said during Question Time.

Fahmi said this in reply to Azahari Hasan (PN-Padang Rengas), who wanted to know the drastic measures that will be taken by the Ministry to address the increasingly widespread issues of scammers and online bullying, given that they not only cause financial losses, but also affect the mental wellbeing of society, including teenagers.

To address this, the minister said MCMC has enforced licensing requirements for internet messaging and social media service providers that meet the criteria to apply for the Application Service Provider (Class) License [ASP(C)] under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588), starting January this year.

“This step ensures all service providers bear responsibility in managing their operations in Malaysia, including tackling harmful content like scams and bullying,” he explained.

Fahmi said MCMC has also introduced the Code of Practice for Internet Messaging and Social Media Service Providers on Dec 20 last year, which outlines providers’ responsibilities in protecting users from harmful online content.

To bolster Malaysia’s digital safety framework, Fahmi said the Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866) was also enacted to regulate harmful online content and establish clear obligations for app providers, content providers, and network service providers.

“MCMC is currently developing subsidiary instruments under Act 866, with a focus on online risk management and other related issues,” he said.

As part of its digital safety efforts, Fahmi said the ministry has also expanded the Safe Internet Campaign, which promotes awareness of cyber scams and bullying, and as of Sept 30, the campaign had reached 3,825 educational institutions, involving 218,000 participants, along with 337 public outreach programmes attended by 222,000 people nationwide.

-- BERNAMA