A meeting between Telegram, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Communications and Digital minister Fahmi Fadzil, along with PDRM Inspector General Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani has finally taken place earlier today. As you may recall, local authorities had previously issued stern warnings to the private messaging platform if it refused to meet and discuss the many complaints that were reported against it.
As revealed by Fahmi via Twitter, the hour-long meeting was held at PDRM headquarters in Bukit Aman. During which, the minister briefed the company of the many criminal cases reportedly occurring on the platform, which includes investment fraud, pedophilia, pornography and other online crimes. “PDRM and I also conveyed a firm view regarding the importance of Telegram and any messaging application or social media to always comply and obey Malaysian laws,” he added.
Hari ini, saya mempengerusikan mesyuarat bersama wakil Telegram yang turut dihadiri oleh Ketua Polis Negara Tan Sri Acryl Sani.
Saya menegaskan bahawa terlalu banyak kes jenayah seperti penipuan pelaburan palsu, pedofilia, pornografi dan jenayah lain berlaku di Telegram. pic.twitter.com/yMYPiMr90l
— Fahmi Fadzil 🇲🇾 (@fahmi_fadzil) June 19, 2023
The minister noted that Malaysian users have suffered losses of over RM45 million due to various frauds done through Telegram from January 2020 until May 2023. He also stressed that the government will not tolerate any criminal hiding behind fake identities and praying on unsuspecting victims.
Responding to this, Telegram expressed that it is committed to work more closely with MCMC and PDRM in order to tackle these issues. The minister is hopeful that today’s meeting will ensure that the platform will become much safer to use by all Malaysians.
(Source: Fahmi Fadzil [Twitter])
