Kuala lumpur: Dewan Negara today passed the Communications and Multimedia Commission (Amendment) Bill 2026 to enhance the role, function, governance, and operations, aiming to strengthen the regulatory function of the country's communications industry. The Bill was passed by a majority vote after being debated by 11 Senators.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Minister of Communications Teo Nie Ching, while concluding the debate on the Bill, highlighted that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had recorded a significant decrease in online gambling content, with over 222,000 instances removed in the first seven months of this year. This reflects an increase in digital enforcement activities. The content removal figures showed a continuous increase from just two in 2022 to 18,814 in 2023, 189,484 in 2024, and 289,486 in 2025.
"As of July 31 this year, the reductions made for online gambling content are 222,257," she stated. These actions were taken at the request of MCMC and service providers. Furthermore, a total of 6,982 gambling websites have been blocked from 2022 to July 31 this year.
Teo also clarified that while gambling activities fall under the jurisdiction of the Royal Malaysia Police, MCMC is responsible for providing technical assistance, digital forensic analysis, and blocking access based on official requests from enforcement agencies. To empower MCMC's governance and independence, the amendment prohibits politicians from serving as the commission's chairman, ensuring the appointee is qualified and not a member of the legislative body.
During the debate, Senator Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman underscored the importance of the amendment, stating that the communications and multimedia sector has become the country's strategic infrastructure. He emphasized that the success of this amendment depends not just on the legal powers but on MCMC's professional, transparent, and effective execution of its duties to protect public interests.
Senator Muhammad Hasbie Muda stressed the importance of expertise and merit in appointing Commission members, asserting that reforms should ensure transparency, effectiveness, and accountability in the implementation of MCMC's powers.
The bill, previously passed by the Dewan Rakyat on July 15, includes 17 clauses, with amendments to Section 16 Act 589 to clarify MCMC's role in developing and regulating digital infrastructure and platform standards.