The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) issued statement saying that it will be reviewing the current self-regulatory framework, as it is unhappy with the way some individuals are handling dangerous and malicious content online. Specifically, the governwrment body is fingering over-the-top (OTT) and social media platforms, basically saying that a great deal of them have not been doing a good job.
“MCMC will not tolerate the continuing and escalating abuse of online platforms and telecommunications, network or online facilities for the purposes of facilitating scams, malicious cyber activities, frauds, phishing, contents that threaten racial stability, religious harmony and showing contempt for the Rulers. We will act against those who violate the laws. MCMC, as a member of NSRC, together with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and National Anti-Financial Crime Centre (NFCC), aims to continue our joint efforts in combating such fraud issues via such stern actions against the offenders,” Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din, Chairman of the body said.
MCMC says that as of April this year, the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) has received 11,858 complaints. In addition to that, a PDRM report stated that, between a period from 2021 and April 2023, the total amount scammed from victims was RM1.2 billion. On that note, more than 2,125 fake news were reported to the MCMC. “MCMC as the regulator of the converged industry in Malaysia, will also be reviewing the regulatory approach to enable a higher degree of oversight through the current legal instruments. This may include a review of the exemptions on certain activities as well as imposing criminal sanctions and punitive orders against entities that wilfully refuse to take immediate steps to ensure that criminal activities occurring on their network or platform are stopped.”
Ultimately, MCMC still strongly recommends regulatory oversight and intervention to curb the issue of scamming. Such intervention should include imposing and enforcing obligations on those who operate such platforms and those who profit from digitalisation to take strong and verifiable measures to ensure that their platforms or networks are not used as a forum to break Malaysia’s laws or threaten the public interest.
(Source: MCMC Press Release)
