Over 56,000 Harmful Online Posts Removed Since 2023, Communications Ministry Reports

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 – Online service providers have removed 56,304 harmful posts containing false information, representing an 86 percent compliance rate out of 65,680 takedown requests submitted between January 1, 2023, and October 15, 2026.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching disclosed the regulatory enforcement figures in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

Teo stated that the takedown requests were initiated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) pursuant to regulatory powers under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) and the Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866).

During the same timeframe, MCMC investigated 546 cases involving false digital content under Section 233 of Act 588.

“These actions were based on assessments of complaints received, compliance with platforms’ community guidelines and prevailing legal provisions,” Teo said during Question Time in response to Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu).

Addressing checks and balances, Teo explained that MCMC first evaluates complaints from government agencies or the public before submitting takedown requests to platforms. Platform providers then conduct independent evaluations based on local laws and community standards, which accounts for why 14 percent of MCMC requests were not removed.

Responding to a supplementary query from Suhaizan Kayat (PH-Pulai) regarding stricter penalties, Teo urged bipartisan parliamentary support for tougher legal measures, pointing to AI-driven image manipulation and viral hoaxes such as fake diesel export claims and altered television news bulletins regarding fuel prices.

Case Prosecution Outcomes, Financial Penalties, and Legal Framework

Key legal enforcement statistics and prosecution metrics detailed in Parliament include:

• Platform Takedown Compliance: Out of 65,680 MCMC takedown requests, social platforms removed 56,304 harmful posts (86 percent success rate) between Jan 1, 2023, and Oct 15, 2026.
• MCMC Investigations Total: MCMC initiated 546 formal case investigations under Section 233 of Act 588 regarding false digital content.
• Prosecutions & Court Fines: 19 cases were brought to court, with 12 resulting in convictions and court fines totaling RM75,500.
• Compounded Cases: 34 cases were compounded, yielding total financial penalties of RM1.72 million.
• Warning Letters & Pending Cases: 74 cases resulted in official warning letters, 29 remain under active investigation, and 390 were classified as requiring no further action (NFA).

–NMT