KUALA LUMPUR — The Dewan Negara today passed the Communications and Multimedia Commission (Amendment) Bill 2026, aimed at strengthening the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) regulatory powers, governance framework and operational functions.
The Bill was approved through a majority vote after being debated by 11 senators, Bernama reported.
Winding up the debate, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said MCMC had recorded a reduction of more than 222,000 online gambling-related content items in the first seven months of this year, reflecting stronger enforcement efforts in the digital space.
She said the number of removals had continued to rise in recent years, with only two cases recorded in 2022 before increasing to 18,814 in 2023, 189,484 in 2024 and 289,486 in 2025.
“As of July 31 (this year), the reductions made for online gambling content are 222,257,” she said.
Teo said the removals were carried out following requests from MCMC as well as service providers, while a total of 6,982 gambling websites had also been blocked between 2022 and July 31 this year.
“This reduction action was made at the request of MCMC and also by service providers. At the same time, for the period 2022 to July 31 this year, a total of 6,982 gambling websites have also been blocked,” she said.
She added that enforcement against gambling activities remained under the jurisdiction of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), while MCMC’s role was limited to providing technical support, conducting digital forensic analysis and blocking access based on official requests from enforcement agencies.
On measures to strengthen MCMC’s governance and independence, Teo said the amendments would prevent politicians from being appointed as the commission’s chairman.
“The chairman cannot be a member of the legislative body. No members of Parliament, No state assemblymen. The amendment we want to bring now is to ensure that we limit the power of a Minister to ensure that the person he appoints is indeed qualified,” she said.
During the debate, Senator Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman said the amendments were timely as the communications and multimedia sector had evolved beyond an economic sector into a key component of the country’s strategic infrastructure.
“The success of this amendment does not only depend on the powers provided by law, but on the ability of MCMC to carry out these functions professionally, transparently, and effectively to protect the interests of the people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senator Muhammad Hasbie Muda stressed that expertise and merit must be prioritised in the appointment of commission members.
“Reform is not just giving MCMC many functions and powers, but must also ensure that each of these powers is implemented transparently, effectively, and can be held accountable to the people,” he said.
The Bill, which was passed by the Dewan Rakyat on July 15, contains 17 clauses, including amendments to Section 16 of Act 589 to clarify MCMC’s role in developing and regulating digital infrastructure and platform standards. – August 3, 2026