KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is set to collaborate with the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, on a legislative proposal requiring parents to take greater responsibility in monitoring their children’s internet use.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said discussions would focus on developing possible enforcement mechanisms, with the MCMC drawing on its regulatory authority over digital platforms.
“Social media platforms are licensed by the MCMC, and based on that licensing, we are able to take action,” he said, as quoted by the NST.
“We will assess the best way to support the Law Minister in regard to the proposed legal provisions.”
Fahmi also pointed out that the Online Safety Act provides the legal framework for the government to act against platforms that fail to meet their responsibilities.
He was speaking to reporters after a ceremony with strategic partners for the upcoming National Journalists Day (Hawana) 2025 at Wisma Bernama.
This comes amid a broader government effort to strengthen protections for children online, particularly in addressing abuse and sexual exploitation. The proposed legal changes, according to Azalina, would make it compulsory for parents to supervise their children’s digital activity and encourage their participation in online safety education.
“This approach reflects the principle of shared responsibility in safeguarding future generations from the growing threat of sexual crimes in the digital age,” she said in a statement.
Azalina, who is currently in Uzbekistan on an official visit, outlined Malaysia’s efforts in a keynote address at the Tashkent Law Spring International Legal Forum 2025. Her presentation, titled Creating a Safer Digital Future: Malaysia’s Legislative Approach to Online Child Protection, underscored the need to future-proof laws amid emerging risks.
She cautioned that while artificial intelligence and other technologies offer significant advantages, they also open new avenues for exploitation.
“The digital future must not only be smarter but also safer, more humane and fair to all levels of society, especially children,” she said.
Azalina also called on the global legal community to intensify cooperation against digital sexual crimes, saying there is a “shared moral responsibility to ensure that those involved in crimes against children are brought to justice without exception.”
During the forum, she reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to judicial reform and enhancing laws related to online child safety. – June 3, 2025