The Communications Ministry is considering requiring at least 10 online games, including Roblox, to obtain licences in Malaysia. The move is part of its efforts to strengthen oversight of the digital gaming space, particularly to safeguard children from harmful content and behaviour. While it is unclear what the nine other games are, comms minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said that all of which are deemed unsuitable for children under the age of 16.
Speaking to reporters after officiating an event in Pahang, Fahmi said the ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is studying the most effective regulatory mechanism to govern online video games amid increasing safety concerns. He confirmed that discussions with the commission are ongoing, but stressed that no official decision has been made yet.
Fahmi further noted that the ministry met with Roblox representatives after an incident in Batu Pahat, where a nine-year-old boy allegedly attacked his six-year-old brother, leaving him severely injured. Reports claim that the case was influenced by the online game.
Separately, the comms minister revealed that the MCMC will summon the developer of dating app OMI for an explanation after a case emerged involving a 12-year-old girl who was allegedly mistreated by a man she met through the platform. Fahmi noted that the app currently falls outside existing regulatory categories, adding that the ministry aims to close such gaps to prevent similar incidents.
“Our challenge is not only to restrict social media access for those under 16 but also to ensure proper age verification and identity confirmation,” he said. “Each platform, such as Facebook and TikTok, has its own mechanisms, but they are still not convincing enough.”
Fahmi previously revealed that the MCMC and several government agencies will be meeting with social media firms in Singapore next week. The purpose of the meetings is to discuss the implementation of eKYC verification on these platforms, with the aim to protect children from cyber predators and bullying, as well as combating the rise of online scams.
(Source: Bernama)
