Kuala lumpur: The government is intensifying its efforts to track and curb the online sale of drugs facilitated through coded language and fake accounts, as disclosed by Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil. These tactics are being employed by sellers to sidestep authorities and slip past the scrutiny of e-commerce platforms.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi revealed that sellers have been avoiding the use of scientific or actual names of banned substances, including potent synthetic drugs like fentanyl, in their online advertisements. "Sometimes they use different terms. Users may recognize them and know how to make a purchase, but the platform may not realize the items are prohibited," Fahmi explained to reporters during the M360 ASEAN 2026 event.
He emphasized that e-commerce services would be under continuous observation to thwart the sale of these illegal substances. "I will check every day whether these platforms are still allowing prohibited items to be sold," he asserted. Fahmi also mentioned that representatives from an e-commerce platform involved in this issue were called in for a meeting on Monday, and he is awaiting a comprehensive report on its outcomes.
The government is taking a firm stance on this matter and is urging platform operators to adopt proactive measures instead of merely removing content after illegal activities are identified or become viral. "Many of these drug sales are hidden behind fake accounts. We do not want platforms to allow fake accounts to be created to sell those prohibited substances, or engage in illegal activities such as online gambling," Fahmi stated.
In response, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has been instructed to take decisive action against the misuse of e-commerce platforms for selling synthetic drugs, including fentanyl mixed with or linked to vape liquids. Meanwhile, the M360 ASEAN 2026 event, organized by GSMA and supported by the Communications Ministry with MCMC as co-host, serves as a platform for ministers, regulators, and industry leaders to deliberate on digital trust, artificial intelligence, resilient infrastructure, and regional digital integration. This event marks its debut in ASEAN and Malaysia, taking place on September 9 and 10.