Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is finalising a safety code to curb the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), with implementation targeted for June. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said the safety code will require online platforms to act swiftly to block access and remove harmful content, with CSAM designated as a high-priority category under the national Online Safety Act (ONSA) framework.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Teo revealed this information to reporters after officiating World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) and the Girls in ICT (GICT) programme hosted by MCMC. Citing Royal Malaysia Police statistics, she mentioned that CSAM cases rose from 31 in 2020 to 44 in 2021, then dipped to 28 cases in 2022, before climbing to 67 cases in 2023 and 68 in 2024, surging to 152 cases in 2025. As of this year to date, 100 cases have been recorded, and she cautioned that the figure could be 'only the tip of the iceberg' as greater connectivity and the proliferation of generative tools make such content easier to produce and disseminate.
Earlier, Teo also lauded Malaysia's network progress, noting near-universal internet usage achieved under the National Digital Network (JENDELA), with 98.4 per cent of men and 97.6 per cent of women online, alongside strong 4G and 5G coverage. However, she emphasised that safety must advance alongside connectivity, as well as the need for greater female participation in ICT and Artificial Intelligence (AI) development, saying women should be 'architects of technology', not merely users.
With the theme of Digital Lifelines: Strengthening Resilience in a Connected World, WTISD brings together various stakeholders to strengthen the nation's digital agenda, emphasising the role of digital infrastructure in supporting economic continuity, public safety, and community resilience. GICT, themed AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future, on the other hand, focuses on empowering girls and young women to play a more active role in shaping the future of technology and digital innovation.
On another development, Teo said the MADANI Submarine Cable Connection (SALAM) project announced in Budget 2026 is still in its early stages of implementation and is expected to take between two and three years to complete. She noted that MCMC had appointed a consultant to advise on the implementation of the project and mentioned that the project was a major initiative for the nation and required proper consultation to ensure the specifications and tender process were carried out appropriately.
The construction of SALAM, with an allocation of RM2 billion, was crucial in strengthening the country's digital infrastructure while supporting the capacity of the 1Malaysia People's Cable System (SCREAM), which has been in use for a long time. The 3,190-kilometre submarine cable will be developed by MCMC, involving an undersea route from Sedili in Johor to Kuching and Sibu in Sarawak, before continuing to Tuaran, Kudat, Pulau Banggi, Sandakan, and Tawau in Sabah.