Malaysia to Press Platforms on e-KYC and Scam Removal

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is preparing to meet leading global platforms in Singapore to accelerate the rollout of electronic know-your-customer (e-KYC) measures and strengthen efforts against online scams and gambling.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that the talks, set to involve the Home Ministry, the Attorney-General’s Chambers, and representatives from platforms such as Meta and TikTok, will focus on technical frameworks for identity checks and faster response systems.

Fahmi explained that the government is determined to make  a standard requirement. Under this framework, social media users would need to link their accounts to official identification such as MyKad, Passport, or MyDigital ID. The minister said the goal is to reduce anonymity, preventing fraudsters from hiding behind unverified accounts.

He stressed that Malaysia’s rapid internet growth, while offering affordable and fast connectivity, has also created new vulnerabilities. “This is one of the reasons why in my meetings with the MCMC, the Home Ministry, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (A-GC) and platforms such as TikTok and Meta, we emphasised that these platforms must implement e-KYC,” Fahmi stated.

The move is seen as crucial to limiting scams ranging from fake advertising and the sale of illicit goods to the exposure of minors to harmful content.

The scale of the issue has become increasingly clear. According to Fahmi, the MCMC spent the first nine months of 2025 handling more than 150,000 scam and gambling-related posts removed from Facebook alone. Reporting each case typically takes 30 minutes, resulting in what the minister described as “every month, the equivalent of a year’s worth of working hours just on (reporting) online gambling and scam content on Facebook alone.”

The minister added that the current approach is unsustainable, with criminal networks exploiting social media’s reach to rapidly scale fraudulent schemes which include offshore casino and gambling operators as well.

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Fahmi has repeatedly called on social media platforms to assume greater responsibility for protecting users. The government has already warned that it will not tolerate inaction, particularly where underage exposure and digital safety are concerned.

He pointed out that the e-KYC requirement is designed to disrupt criminal misuse of digital platforms while also addressing broader threats such as false advertising, narcotics sales, and scams.

By pushing for quicker takedowns and verified identities, the upcoming discussions in Singapore aim to establish a tougher regulatory environment, ensuring that digital spaces in Malaysia remain secure and trustworthy.

Sources:

, nst.com, September 2025