Over 2,000 websites blocked

MCMC targets multiple porn, phishing and gambling sites

In the period between January 1 and August 31 of this year, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has blocked over 2,000 porn and phishing websites, according to Fahmi Fadzil (pic).

Fahmi, in a written response to Datuk Wan Saifulruddin Wan Jan (PN-Tasek Gelugor), stated that MCMC has blocked these websites in order to ensure compliance with existing laws.

“During this period, a total of 1,022 porn websites and 1,247 phishing websites were blocked,” Fahmi said, further mentioning that enforcement agencies such as MCMC, the police, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN), the Health Ministry, and the Securities Commission Malaysia were involved in the action.

Additionally, various other websites, totaling 3,997, were also blocked as determined by enforcement authorities. These included online gambling websites (453), copyright law-breaching websites (453), hate speech websites (17), websites offering controlled drugs or cosmetics (38), controlled food products (30), controlled medicine (three), websites involved in criminal defamation (one), as well as websites promoting prostitution (83), money lending (12), and illegal business programs (two).

The blockage measures also encompassed websites in breach of trademark laws (26), websites disclosing personal data (six), and websites facilitating illegal stock and equities trading (78).

“In the same period, MCMC has blocked a total of 11,949 social media accounts that violated social media policies and laws in the country,” Fahmi added.

Blocked accounts during this period included 7,026 online gambling accounts, 1,842 scam accounts, and 1,263 accounts engaged in bullying and harassment.

Furthermore, other blocked social media accounts consisted of porn accounts (506), accounts with fake content (722), fake accounts (157), threatening accounts (27), inappropriate accounts (one), and accounts with other violations (405).

“Efforts to block these accounts are not negotiable and adhere to the terms and conditions established by the respective social media platforms,” Fahmi stated.

In a written reply to Datuk Suhaimi Nasir (BN-Libaran), Fahmi disclosed that a total of 156 unverified news pieces covering matters related to race, royalty, religion (3R), and the Prime Minister had been identified since December 1, 2022.

“The police have initiated 66 investigation papers concerning fake news and 3R issues, solving 41 cases so far, while 25 cases are still under investigation by the police, Attorney General’s Chambers, and MCMC,” Fahmi stated.

Fahmi also mentioned a number of initiatives aimed at educating the public about the importance of fact-checking news before sharing it, including MCMC’s fact-checking portal called Sebenarnya.my, RTM’s television and radio program named Pastikan Sahih airing from Monday to Thursday, and a one-minute segment called Biar Betul! airing daily during the Kanta 744 slot at 7.44pm on RTM.

Fahmi also provided information about MCMC’s nationwide program called Klik Dengan Bijak, which seeks to educate the elderly and youth about the dangers of fake news.