SHAH ALAM, July 21 —The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), in collaboration with telecommunications service providers, has blocked 3.04 billion suspicious text messages and 2.5 billion scam calls between January 1, 2022 and June 30 this year.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the authorities also terminated 190,429 mobile and fixed telephone lines identified as being used to send suspicious messages during the same period.
"MCMC works closely with the police through actions such as applying for the removal of social media content, blocking websites, and providing technical support, including supplying information and digital forensic analysis to assist in investigations.
"In addition, MCMC exercises regulatory and enforcement actions if there are violations of the law under its jurisdiction, particularly the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) and the Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866)," he said in a written Parliamentary reply to Datuk Seri S. Vell Paari Samy Vellu.
Fahmi added that the MCMC also actively monitors harmful online content and is empowered to take enforcement action under Section 233 of Act 588, with Act 866 further strengthening its ability to act against content linked to financial fraud.
"The government, through MCMC, also provides a formal complaint mechanism allowing the public to report phone numbers, website links, or accounts suspected of being involved in fraudulent activities.
"This includes scam calls impersonating government officers, financial institutions, the Inland Revenue Board, the police, and public agencies.
"Between January 1 and July 7 this year, a total of 158 complaints related to scam call activities, including impersonation of government officers, were received and processed through the main consumer redress platform, the Consumer Redress Portal," he said.
Fahmi noted that since September 1, 2024, the MCMC has enforced directives requiring telecommunications companies to block prohibited content in text messages, including hyperlinks, requests for personal information and contact numbers commonly used in scam attempts.
"If users suspect an account or content contains false or fraudulent elements, they are advised to immediately report it to the relevant service provider for appropriate action, in addition to reporting it to the authorities.
"For cases involving money transfers or financial fraud, the public should contact the National Scam Response Centre hotline at 997 immediately to allow swift action to block the flow of funds and support official investigations," he said.
