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The Communications Ministry is considering legal action against Facebook for failing to tackle online scams
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had been tasked to discuss cooperation with the platform.
"Maybe we might take legal action against Facebook. We leave it to MCMC to contact and discuss with them, and give them a chance to prove that they want to work with the government," Fahmi said, according to the New Straits Times.
Fahmi said MCMC made 271,472 requests to remove harmful content from platforms, with 91% of those requests involving gambling and online scams
Facebook is the primary source, linking to 81% of gambling cases and 58% of scam cases.
Last year, Malaysians lost RM2.7 billion to scams, while Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) managed to block RM1.2 billion in fraudulent transactions.
To combat scams, Fahmi has announced plans to set up a specialised committee comprising telecommunications companies, banks, enforcement agencies, and regulators to strengthen safety
"This is important to ensure the safety of Malaysians when they go online. We will bring this proposal to the cabinet in the coming weeks. If needed, we will also establish a council to address online scams," Fahmi said.
The event also witnessed an exchange of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between MCMC managing director Abdul Karim Fakir Ali and Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) adviser Rajeshpal Singh Sandhu.
