JOHOR BAHRU: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) removed 2,033 advertisements related to products and services not authorised by the Health Ministry and other agencies from the start of this year until Aug 1, says Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.
She said the move followed 2,283 complaints received during the period, with the removal of such ads having been carried out since 2022.
“In 2022, MCMC received eight complaints and removed all related ads. In 2023, 439 complaints were received and 390 ads were removed. Meanwhile, in 2024, MCMC received 3,312 complaints and took down 1,643 unauthorised online ads,” she said.
She said this at a press conference after officiating the Johor-level MADANI MSME Digital Grant (GDPM) Festival 2025 in Permas Jaya here on Sunday (Aug 10).
Teo said her ministry constantly works with the Health Ministry on false medicine or health service advertisements, as the Health Ministry has the expertise to identify such cases.
“When we receive a complaint from the Health Ministry, MCMC will notify social media platform providers to take the advertisement down if it is unauthorised.
“However, if a complaint is received from the public, for example involving fake medicines, we will refer it to the Health Ministry for verification before further action is taken,” she said.- Bernama