KUALA LUMPUR – The government has established the Online Safety Committee as the highest strategic advisory body to guide the nation’s online safety measures. This follows the enforcement of the Online Safety Act 2025 [Act 866], which came into effect yesterday.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said explained that the committee’s formation is in accordance with Section 5 of the Online Safety Act, Bernama reported.
“The Online Safety Committee will serve as the highest strategic advisory body to guide the direction of online safety, including monitoring and providing recommendations on online content safety,” she said in a statement today.
Azalina emphasized that the committee’s role goes beyond administration. It will advise the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on classifying harmful content, such as child sexual exploitation and financial fraud.
The committee will also assess risk analysis methods, propose mitigation strategies to protect users from online harm, evaluate the effectiveness of complaint mechanisms, and monitor enforcement against illegal content.
Additionally, the committee will conduct technical research and expert analysis on emerging cybercrime trends, including the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfakes.
Azalina revealed that nine members have been appointed for a three-year term, from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028. The members represent a wide range of expertise across the public and private sectors, as well as civil society.
Tan Sri Hasnah Mohamed Hashim has been appointed chairman, while Datuk Lim Thean Shiang serves as deputy chairman. Other members include Barhoum Abe Abed (representing Licensed Applications Service Providers), Mohd Kasyful Azim Ab Rahman (representing Licensed Network Service Providers), and Dr Ruzimi Mohamed (representing persons with disabilities).
Other members include Datuk Zurkarnain Mohd Yasin, Thiyagu Ganesan, Datuk Seri Dr Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos, and Wathshlah Naidu, all of whom possess significant expertise in online safety.
Azalina reiterated the MADANI Government’s commitment to ensuring freedom of expression is upheld while balancing the need to safeguard public safety, especially to protect vulnerable groups from online threats. – January 2, 2026