KUALA LUMPUR – Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has urged parents to monitor their children’s use of social media to ensure their safety, following the arrests of 13 men nationwide for alleged involvement in child sexual abuse content.
The suspects, aged between 20 and 74, were detained during raids conducted in six states—Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Perak, Johor, and Terengganu—under “Op Pedo,” a joint operation by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Fahmi commended the authorities for their swift action, calling the arrests a testament to the government’s commitment to protecting children from online predators.
“The MADANI government fully supports efforts to safeguard the safety and well-being of children and will never compromise on crimes that threaten their future,” the government spokeperson said.
He also urged online platform providers to take proactive steps in curbing immoral and illegal activities on their platforms.
“Parents must play an essential role in supervising their children’s use of social media, particularly minors, to ensure their safety,” Fahmi added.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain revealed that approximately 40,000 files containing child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) and adult pornographic content were uncovered during the operation. Law enforcement also seized seven computers, a laptop, 11 mobile phones, and 16 routers and modems.
“Thirteen investigation papers have been opened under Section 10 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act (Act 792) for possession of child pornography and Section 292 of the Penal Code for the sale, distribution, or public exhibition of obscene materials,” said Razarudin in a statement.
Section 10 of Act 792 carries penalties of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to RM10,000, or both, while Section 292 of the Penal Code provides for up to three years imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.
Razarudin said that the operation aimed to track down child sexual offenders active on social media and raise awareness among parents, communities, and platform providers about the importance of child safety online.
Last week, Fahmi said the Communications Ministry will monitor and take additional measures if any social media platforms fail to enforce their own age restrictions for users.
He said this follows the introduction of social media platform licensing, which will come into effect on Jan 1.
He noted that most social media platforms currently set a minimum user age of 13 years.
“We want to see how they enforce this age restriction based on the standards they have already established.
“If they fail or the enforcement is unsatisfactory, we will consider additional measures,” he said during a press conference at the Perak Economic Outlook 2025 Programme here today.
Fahmi was asked if Malaysia would follow Australia’s move to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms.
He said his ministry leaves the enforcement of age restrictions to social media platforms themselves to ensure policy stability, as the government does not want to curb freedom of expression. – December 24, 2024