Kuala lumpur: The Communications Ministry will intensify the implementation of the Safe Internet Campaign 2.0 next year to bolster online security, particularly for children and families, according to its Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. The initiative aims to build on the success of the Safe Internet Campaign 1.0, which engaged nearly 8,500 schools and over 400,000 participants through various Internet safety awareness programs this year, surpassing its initial target.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Minister Fahmi highlighted the need to expand efforts next year, directing the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to collaborate with entities such as the MADANI Community, which acts as a communication agent at the grassroots level. "We want to involve all in the MADANI Community to become agents of communication delivering the same message, which is ensuring the Internet is safe. Parents also have a duty and responsibility to ensure their children are always safe when surfing the Internet," he emphasized at the Communications Ministry's Monthly assembly.
The assembly was also attended by Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj. Minister Fahmi announced the launch of a nationwide Internet safety mega roadshow in conjunction with World Safer Internet Day next February to reinforce the message of Internet safety at the grassroots level.
Fahmi addressed the rising concern of criminals, such as those involved in child sexual crimes, scams, and online gambling, migrating to social media platforms. In response, the government is fortifying the legal framework by criminalizing acts such as fraud, scams, cyberbullying, and doxing. He noted that amendments to the Penal Code now define both physical and cyberbullying as offenses, and doxing-sharing someone's personal information with intent to intimidate-is also considered an offense.
The effort aligns with the enforcement of several communications-related acts, including the Online Safety Act (OnSA), the Anti-Bullying Bill 2025, and the Deeming Provision under Section 46A of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. Under the Deeming Provision, Internet messaging and social media service providers with eight million or more users in Malaysia will automatically be registered as Application Service Provider Class Licence [ASP(C)] holders starting January 1, 2026.
Minister Fahmi expressed optimism about these initiatives, stating, "This means, if we cooperate with other ministries, departments, and enforcement agencies, our Internet, insya-Allah, will be safer by next year. So, with the existence of OnSA and with these platforms being deemed licensed, we believe several things can be worked on together to ensure the Internet in Malaysia is safer, especially for children and families."