KUALA LUMPUR – The government has assured Malaysians that freedom of speech will be upheld even as it takes decisive action against the rising wave of cybercrime on social media platforms.
From child predators and ruthless scammers to cunning fraudsters preying on unsuspecting victims, the digital underworld has become a hotbed of criminal activity, demanding immediate and firm intervention.
The proposed amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) are designed to address this alarming trend, ensuring that online spaces are not weaponised for crime while protecting the public’s right to express themselves freely.
The government is always committed to upholding freedom of speech but ensures it is not exploited for cybercrime, according to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
This stance has been consistently highlighted by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who emphasised the need for proactive measures to combat cybercrime.
“We have no intention to protect scammers, pedophiles, and bullies. The idea here is that we’re bringing to Parliament a set of laws to deal with the surge of crimes migrating to social media.
“It’s a very real and present threat to Malaysia’s safety and security,” Fahmi said.
Statistics from the National Security Council (NSC) reveal that online scams in 2023 resulted in losses totalling RM1.218 billion, with 34,497 cases reported and 12,851 prosecuted in court.
Telecommunication scams alone accounted for 10,348 reported cases, leading to RM352 million in losses.
Data from the Statistics Department (DOSM) in 2023 indicates 34,532 reported online crime cases—a 35.5% increase—with e-commerce crimes contributing the most (33.2%), followed by telecommunication fraud (30%), non-existent investments (15.6%), non-existent loans (12.3%), e-finance crimes (6.1%), and love scams (2.7%).
Among love scam victims, 78.2% were women, with those aged 41–50 being the most affected (24.3%).
Meanwhile, child-related sexual crimes recorded a 26.5% increase to 1,567 cases, with significant surges in child pornography (139.3%), child grooming (100%), and non-physical sexual abuse (97%).
The National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) reported 37,002 scam-related calls as of May 2024, with losses amounting to RM203.33 million. Since October 2022, the centre has handled 95,094 calls.
Under Section 420 of the Penal Code, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) initiated 10,649 fraud investigations, opened 74 money laundering probes, and froze 637 accounts linked to RM72.38 million in fraudulent activities.
Additionally, 131 phone numbers were terminated for their involvement in scams, and 112 suspicious lines were blocked. – November 27, 2024