All prepaid SIM card registrations in Malaysia will soon require verification through MyDigital ID, with full enforcement expected by the end of this year. This was revealed by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil today during his weekly press conference, noting that the move aims to tighten security and prevent misuse of SIM cards.
Fahmi said the issue was discussed during the Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution Council meeting yesterday. He also highlighted the unusually high number of SIM cards that can be registered under one individual’s name, which can be exploited by bad actors for scams and other illegal activities.
“At present, one person can register up to five SIM cards per telco. With 12 telcos, that means a single individual could hold as many as 60 SIM cards,” Fahmi said. “This is a concern, because if we want to strengthen safety — including for social media users — ensuring proper SIM card registration is one way to close the loopholes.”
He added that telcos will be directed to ensure the registration process for SIM cards integrates MyDigital ID, with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to issue detailed guidelines and oversee the process. According to Fahmi, the implementation is expected possibly by November or December 2025.
