Jun 04, 2026 | 4:49 am
Facebook has emerged as the main platform identified by Malaysian authorities in efforts to remove online gambling content, according to figures released by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) recorded 470,593 pieces of harmful content for removal between January 1 and August 17, 2026. Platforms complied with 93% of the requests, resulting in 436,661 pieces of content being removed. Online gambling represented 64% of the material flagged, while scams accounted for 27%.
Facebook made up 78% of the gambling-related content identified during the period. YouTube accounted for 18% and TikTok for 4%.
Minister criticises platform response
Fahmi singled out Facebook during a speech at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the MCMC and Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM). He described the platform as the “most guilty” in relation to online gambling and highlighted its use of fake accounts.
"For the platform that is the most guilty, the most problematic in terms of online gambling, the most guilty is Facebook. Facebook is the most guilty, with the most use of fake accounts," he said.
He also joked that Malaysia should give an annual award to the platform that “commits the most sins” against Malaysians.
Fahmi said he personally reviews Facebook posts each morning and forwards suspected gambling material to the MCMC for assessment. He called for platforms to detect and remove prohibited material without waiting for regulators or members of the public to report it.
"Every platform should act proactively to detect, block and remove harmful content that clearly violates their guidelines and terms of use," he said.
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Gambling Concerns Linked To Wider Enforcement
The latest figures follow earlier Malaysian efforts targeting online gambling and scams. Between January 1 and May 23, authorities submitted 271,472 removal requests, with 91% linked to scams or illegal gambling. Facebook represented 81% of gambling-related material and 58% of scam content flagged during that period.
Earlier figures showed that Malaysia had blocked 5,026 gambling websites since 2022 and removed more than 224,000 gambling-related social media posts by February 2025. Facebook accounted for 93.14% of that material.
Fahmi also connected online crime with broader cross-border enforcement. Under the MCMC-JIM agreement, the agencies will strengthen information sharing, identity checks, risk analysis and coordination involving criminal networks engaged in scams, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, document forgery and identity abuse.
The minister said online scams caused RM958 million in losses during the first six months of 2026, compared with RM2.9 billion across 2025. He also said Malaysia was strengthening digital identity verification, including eKYC measures for social media platforms covered by its regulatory framework.
"The cooperation formalised is not merely an MoU between two agencies. Instead, it reflects the Madani Government's commitment to strengthening the country's enforcement capabilities in facing the increasingly complex, organised and technology-driven threat of cross-border crime," he said.
Fahmi said faster information exchange and stronger investigative coordination would remain important as authorities respond to digital crime.
Source:
“NDR 2026: Govt prepared to raise minimum age beyond 13 for social media platforms with weak safeguards”, malaysia.news.yahoo.com, August 23, 2026