Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has issued a Public Inquiry Report concerning the proposed Determination of Mandatory Standards for the Registration of Prepaid Public Cellular Service Users. This action is in accordance with Section 65 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA 1998).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the report, which can be accessed at the MCMC website, compiles all feedback received and presents MCMC's final evaluation and policy stance on the proposed mandatory standards. The publication underscores MCMC's dedication to fostering a transparent and consultative regulatory framework. Subsequently, MCMC plans to issue and register the mandatory standards as Commission Determinations by the end of February 2026, as per sections 55 and 104(4) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, accompanied by a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

The report is the culmination of a public inquiry conducted under Sections 55 and 61 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, following the release of the Public Inquiry Paper on October 14, 2025. The minimum 45-day investigation period concluded on November 28, 2025, during which MCMC received 15 submissions from 10 service providers and five public individuals.

MCMC highlighted that current prepaid registration processes have vulnerabilities that could lead to document forgery and identity theft, posing risks to consumer security, national security, and the integrity of digital services. The regulatory framework requires strengthening to address inconsistent registration practices, pre-activated SIM cards, and fake registrations in the market.

Feedback indicated broad support from both the industry and the public for tightening the prepaid registration process to safeguard consumers and bolster confidence in digital services. MCMC's proposed mandatory standard advocates for a more stringent regulatory framework, including a secure automated registration platform, biometric authentication, and defined responsibilities for service providers and distributors.

A significant improvement proposed is the integration of MyDigital ID as a verification tool for those with digital identities, aligning with the government's national digital identity initiative and enhancing the integrity of the self-registration process.