Kuala lumpur: More than 500,000 pieces of online content were removed by service providers between January 1, 2022, and August 1, 2025, for violating the law. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching informed the Dewan Rakyat that the removed content included 321,012 items related to gambling, 119,273 fraudulent content pieces, 43,585 obscene items, 35,420 involving bullying or sexual harassment, and 38,818 classified as fake content.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the content was removed at the request of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for breaching the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588), other relevant laws, and the platform providers' community guidelines. Teo stated that the MCMC continues to enhance the monitoring of harmful online content through collaboration with enforcement agencies such as the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
Teo mentioned that MCMC's involvement includes providing technical assistance, such as information and digital forensic analysis, to support investigations by the authorities. The Ministry of Communications, through the MCMC, is committed to ensuring a safe online environment for all levels of society, she said during the question-and-answer session.
In response to a question from Datuk Dr Richard Rapu @ Aman Begri (GPS-Betong) about the steps taken by the ministry to enhance the monitoring of harmful content online, Teo elaborated that the MCMC had developed the Sebenarnya.my portal as a fact-checking platform. On January 28, 2025, they launched the Sebenarnya.my Chatbot, or Artificial Intelligence Fact-check Assistant (AIFA), to facilitate public verification of information and provide faster responses to inauthentic content.
Teo added that starting January 1, 2025, the MCMC required internet messaging and social media service providers meeting licensing criteria to apply for and obtain an Application Service Provider Class (ASP(C)) licence under Act 588. This measure aims to ensure that each service provider assumes statutory responsibilities in managing their operations in Malaysia, including effectively addressing harmful content, especially concerning children. The MCMC has also published a Code of Conduct (Best Practices) for Internet Messaging and Social Media Service Providers, outlining their responsibilities in protecting children and adolescents from harmful content.
She further noted that the MCMC launched the Safe Internet Campaign (KIS) on January 21, focusing on online safety issues such as age limits for social media users, cyberbullying, and preventing access to inappropriate content. Platform providers are expected to take responsibility for preventing the spread of fraudulent or cyberbullying content and to remove it promptly once detected.
Teo highlighted that many fraudulent content or postings are only removed after MCMC files a report and sends an official request to the platform. Due to the lack of strict guidelines for advertisers, fraudulent content has been increasing every year, she said.