Kuala Lumpur, 29 January 2026 – Malaysia’s enforcement of the Online Safety Act has resulted in the removal of 96% of social media content flagged as harmful or illegal, signalling strong early compliance by digital platforms and a tougher regulatory stance on online abuse, scams and harmful material.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the high removal rate reflects improved cooperation between authorities and social media companies since the Act came into force. He noted that platforms are responding more promptly to government takedown requests, particularly involving content related to online scams, cyber harassment, child exploitation, misinformation and other forms of harmful digital activity.
According to Fahmi, the Online Safety Act was introduced to close long-standing enforcement gaps in Malaysia’s digital ecosystem, where harmful content could previously circulate widely before action was taken. With clearer legal obligations now in place, platforms are required to act swiftly once notified, or risk regulatory penalties.
The minister added that enforcement efforts are not solely punitive. Authorities are also engaging with platform operators to improve content moderation processes, reporting mechanisms and response times, ensuring that legitimate speech is protected while harmful material is curtailed. He stressed that the government does not intend to stifle freedom of expression, but rather to create a safer online environment for users, particularly children and vulnerable groups.
Fahmi also highlighted that scam-related content remains a key focus area, given the rising financial losses suffered by Malaysians due to online fraud. Faster content takedowns, he said, can disrupt scam operations earlier and reduce the likelihood of users falling victim.
Despite the high compliance rate, Fahmi acknowledged that enforcement remains an ongoing process as new forms of harmful content continue to emerge. He said the ministry will continue to monitor platform performance, refine enforcement standards and work with stakeholders to ensure the Online Safety Act remains effective amid the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The strong early results, he said, demonstrate that clear regulation and consistent enforcement can shift platform behaviour, marking a significant step forward in Malaysia’s broader digital governance and online safety agenda.
