Kuala lumpur: Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has expressed dissatisfaction with Meta’s inadequate response to curbing criminal activities on its platforms, indicating possible government interventions if cooperation does not improve.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi outlined that a meeting was convened with Meta representatives at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). This meeting included senior officials from various government bodies such as the Royal Malaysia Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID), Attorney General’s Chambers, Home Ministry, Finance Ministry, National Financial Crime Prevention Centre (NFCC), and National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA). The discussions centered around pressing issues on Meta platforms, notably Facebook, addressing online gambling, scams, misinformation, 3R content (Race, Religion, Royalty), and the sale of prohibited products like drug-laced vape liquids.
Fahmi highlighted that as of September 19, a total of 168,774 takedown requests had been lodged with Meta concerning Facebook, accounting for 59 percent of all takedown requests across social media platforms in Malaysia. Specifically, 120,127 of these requests pertained to online gambling, yet only 114,665 pieces of content were removed. Similarly, for scams, 37,722 takedown requests were made with 36,918 being addressed, leaving harmful content still circulating, which is a significant concern.
Fahmi referenced CCID data showing that Meta’s platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, were involved in 18,128 e-commerce scam cases from 2023 to August 2025, leading to losses exceeding RM248 million. He emphasized that Meta’s insufficient cooperation hampers efforts to safeguard the public from escalating online threats.
Despite Meta’s promises to enhance cooperation and enforcement actions, Fahmi insisted that more decisive measures are necessary. He urged Meta and other social media platforms to adopt more effective age and identity verification methods, like integration with MyKad and MyDigital ID, to prevent minors from creating accounts and accessing inappropriate content.
He reiterated that the MADANI Government remains firm on digital safety, insisting that Meta and all social media platforms must take greater accountability to ensure prompt removal of content violating national laws. The Ministry of Communications, along with enforcement agencies, will intensify monitoring efforts and consider further actions if Meta does not improve its cooperation.