MCMC and PDRM Intensify Joint Efforts to Combat Online Child Sexual Exploitation

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 24 – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) are strengthening their collaborative framework to crack down on the misuse of network services for online child sexual exploitation.

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil stated that MCMC, operating as the technical agency, will continue to provide critical assistance to PDRM—specifically the D11 Division (Sexual, Women and Child Investigation) under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)—to trace offenders and bring them to justice.

He explained that MCMC’s primary role is to ensure that anyone who misuses network services can be traced, arrested, and brought to justice, especially those who prey on children and women.

The joint inter-agency operation heavily leverages technical support and digital forensics to aid police investigations into online child sexual exploitation networks.

The intensified enforcement follows recent disclosures by Bukit Aman CID Director Datuk M. Kumar, who revealed that 53 individuals—including eight teenagers, with the youngest aged 13—were arrested during nationwide raids under Op Pedo Integrated 3.0 conducted from Sept 14 to 16. The joint operation by the D11 unit and MCMC uncovered illicit networks manufacturing, distributing, and selling child sexual abuse material (CSAM) videos and animations via closed online groups for prices ranging between RM50 and RM60.

Beyond direct enforcement, Fahmi highlighted that MCMC is enforcing broader structural regulations to elevate user safety across digital platforms through new legal frameworks.

“Through the Online Safety Act, we are also emphasising to social media platforms the need to ensure that the environment or platform itself remains safe, especially for women and children, notably those below the age of 16 are not allowed to open social media accounts,” Fahmi said.

Commenting on the appreciation ceremony, which honored 157 retirees and prospective retirees from the Communications Ministry, Fahmi emphasized that the government values the ongoing contributions and institutional knowledge of retired civil servants to enhance public communication services.

“I pray that they will continue to find ways to share their views and contribute to ensuring the government’s efforts, especially in the communications, remain successful in the eyes of the people,” Fahmi added, noting that he remains very open to receiving their feedback for further improvements.

–NMT