Oct 29: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is reviewing the need for additional regulatory measures on online gaming platforms, including Roblox, to strengthen child protection and address digital safety risks
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said MCMC, together with the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF), is studying online gaming trends and associated risks, including user-to-user interactions, in-game content and safety measures implemented by platform providers.
He said the study also examines international practices and regulatory frameworks to identify appropriate and effective safeguards for implementation in Malaysia.
“At the same time, CMCF is conducting a public consultation to develop a Gaming SubCode, involving various stakeholders, including app store operators, local and international game developers, online safety experts, the e-sports industry, legal practitioners and researchers.
“The findings of the study and consultation will serve as the basis for considering evidence-based and risk-proportionate regulatory measures to ensure users, particularly children, remain protected,” he said.
Fahmi was speaking when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2027 (Budget 2027) at the policy stage for the Communications Ministry in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said the government was also prioritising parental education and awareness, particularly on activating parental control features on personal devices and online services.
The initiative is being implemented through the Safe Internet Campaign, which includes the Parent-Teacher Convention and Safe Internet Campaign Community Carnival held nationwide.
With RM58.7 million allocated under Budget 2027, the campaign targets students and children while extending education and advocacy programmes to parents, guardians, teachers and local communities.
Fahmi said protecting children from online threats required a collective effort involving families, educational institutions, communities, government agencies and service providers.
In a related development, he said 14,706 instances of pornographic content and child sexual abuse material were taken down, while 5,170 pornographic websites were blocked between Jan 1, 2022, and Sept 30, 2026.
On the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology, particularly the circulation of digitally manipulated nude images involving schoolgirls in Seremban, Fahmi said the case remained under investigation by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
He said MCMC was working closely with the police and Meta, the platform provider, in addressing the case.
MCMC records also showed that 5,341 complaints involving cyberbullying and online harassment were lodged between Jan 1, 2023, and Oct 15, 2026.
Meanwhile, 828,438 online gambling-related posts and materials were taken down, while 7,411 illegal gambling domains were blocked by service providers following MCMC directives between Jan 1, 2022, and Sept 15, 2026.
Fahmi said enforcement against illegal gambling had also been intensified through joint operations with PDRM, including Op JOL and Op Soga XI this year, targeting illegal online bookmaking and betting activities linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“MCMC has also enhanced operational cooperation with PDRM and telecommunications service providers through Op Pancing and Op Delusi to curb the large-scale dissemination of spam short messaging service (SMS) messages using Fake Base Transceiver Station (Fake BTS) equipment containing phishing links designed to deceive users,” he said
