KUALA LUMPUR: Licensed social media providers recorded a 96 per cent compliance rate with government-issued written orders to remove selected harmful content since the Online Safety Act 2025 came into force on Jan 1 this year.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said that failure to comply with the government’s order is an offence, which can incur a fine of RM1 million.
“Under Act 866, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), among others, is empowered to issue written directions to licensed service providers to remove online content deemed harmful as defined under the Act.
“Failure to comply with such written directions constitutes an offence punishable by a fine of up to RM1 million. A further daily fine of up to RM100,000 may also be imposed for each day (or part thereof) that the offence continues after conviction,” he said in a written parliamentary reply last night.
As of Jan 27, 2026, Putrajaya issued a total of 25 takedown requests to service providers for various offences under the Act. “Of these, 24 pieces of content, or 96 per cent, were removed,” he said.
Fahmi, however, did not specify the type of content for which takedown orders were issued.
In addition, for offences involving non-compliance with any obligations under Part III of Act 866, licensed service providers may be subject to financial penalties of up to RM10 million.
These obligations include implementing measures to reduce exposure to harmful content, safeguarding the online safety of child users, and putting in place mechanisms to ensure priority harmful content is rendered inaccessible, Fahmi said in response to Datuk Dr Richard Rapu @ Aman anak Begri’s (GRS-Betong) question.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
