Government signals tougher enforcement as scams, AI abuse, and child exploitation rise
Malaysia is moving to assert stronger control over digital platforms as online harm accelerates, sending a clear message that social media companies must be accountable for what happens on their platforms.
Stronger Enforcement Through Engagement
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will continue engagement sessions with social media platform providers to ensure compliance with Malaysian laws, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said. While the requirement for platforms with more than eight million users to formally apply for licenses has been lifted, full enforcement of local regulations will begin on Jan 1, 2026.
Mixed Response From Platforms
According to Fahmi, feedback from digital platforms has been inconsistent. Some companies have been proactive in addressing problematic content, while others have ignored complaints and information submitted by authorities. Speaking in a special interview with Bernama, Fahmi said this lack of uniform cooperation has raised serious concerns about platform responsibility.
Online Crime Remains a Growing Threat
Despite repeated engagements, Fahmi stressed that online crime has not declined. Instead, cases of online scams continue to multiply, alongside rising sexual crimes involving children, illegal online gambling, and the misuse of artificial intelligence technologies such as deepfakes. These trends, he said, are becoming increasingly worrying for authorities.
Accountability Beyond Licensing
Fahmi explained that Malaysia’s decision to treat all major social media platforms as effectively licensed reflects the need for accountability rather than bureaucracy. Although platforms no longer need to undergo a formal licensing process, Malaysian laws still apply fully to their operations, content, and commercial activities within the country.
Global Concerns Over Platform Revenue
International reports have also indicated that some social media platforms generate revenue from scam-related advertisements. Fahmi said this raises serious questions about the ethical and legal responsibilities of digital service providers, especially when financial incentives may conflict with user safety.
Government Draws a Firm Line
Addressing possible resistance from global technology companies, Fahmi said the government could no longer afford to wait. He recalled that just before Christmas 2024, a representative from a major platform had expressed readiness to comply, yet no action followed a year later. Victims of scams and AI-related abuse, he said, cannot continue to wait.
Malaysia’s firm stance signals a broader regional shift toward digital accountability, with implications extending beyond its borders. As Southeast Asia grapples with cross-border scams and AI-driven abuse, the move underscores the need for stronger cooperation between governments, platforms, and users, including those in neighboring Indonesia and Singapore.
Sources: Asia News Network (2025) , The Star (2025)
Keywords: MCMC, Fahmi Fadzil, Online Scams, AI Abuse, Social Media Platforms
