Kuala Lumpur, 20 May 2025 – Despite the enforcement of new social media regulations from 1 January 2025, scam and gambling advertisements continue to flood platforms such as Facebook, targeting Malaysian users. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has expressed concern over the persistent inaction of tech giants like Meta, Google, and X (formerly Twitter), who continue operating in Malaysia without the required Application Service Provider (ASP) licence.
In response, the government is preparing to enforce the Online Safety Act (OnSA) 2024, which was passed in December and is now awaiting royal assent. The Act aims to compel social media platforms to take greater responsibility for harmful content and scam-related advertisements that proliferate on their services.
“There are many scams and gambling ads, yet Facebook hasn’t done enough to remove them – simply because scammers are paying for them,” said Minister Fahmi during the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2025 event.
The Online Safety Act introduces three core responsibilities for platforms:
- Ensuring platform-wide safety.
- Protecting children under 13.
- Restricting access to harmful content.
Social media platforms with over 8 million Malaysian users are legally required to register for the ASP licence. So far, TikTok, Tencent (WeChat), and Telegram have complied. However, major platforms like Meta and Google have yet to do so.
While the government maintains it does not intend to block unlicensed platforms, it has warned that non-compliance may lead to fines under Section 126 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998, which include:
- Fines up to RM500,000
- Imprisonment of up to 5 years, or both
- Additional fines of RM1,000 per day post-conviction
Critics, however, argue that the Act lacks an independent oversight mechanism, and that terms such as “harmful content” remain too vague, raising concerns about overreach.
Minister Fahmi noted that platforms are expected to begin submitting their ASP licence applications as early as October 2025, adding that OnSA is expected to become a pivotal tool in establishing a safer digital ecosystem for Malaysians.
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