KUALA LUMPUR — The government has yet to receive any response from online digital platforms, including Meta, ByteDance, and Telegram, following the enforcement of the Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA) on January 1.
Communications Minister, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, said that he had not been informed of any discussions between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the platforms in question, Berita Harian reported.
“However, we expect to receive feedback soon, especially with the start of the ‘sandbox’ process for EKYC,” he said.
“At the moment, we are in the process of issuing instruments to inform the platforms that ONSA applies to them. That’s the current step,” he added.
Fahmi made these comments during the National Reformists’ Family Day and 2026 National Assembly programme, held in Hulu Selangor today, which was officiated by Prime Minister and PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
ONSA, which came into effect on January 1, outlines a legal framework aimed at enhancing online security and strengthening protections for users, particularly children and families.
The Act mandates licensed service providers to address online harms, including implementing security measures based on risk levels, offering specific protections for children, and providing reporting and assistance mechanisms for users.
When asked whether the digital platforms had agreed to comply with ONSA, Fahmi responded that the issue did not arise, as they are required to comply in order to continue operating in Malaysia.
“The ‘deeming’ provision under the Communications and Multimedia Act now means that they are automatically subject to Malaysian law,” he explained. – January 3, 2026