THE government, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), has implemented a licensing requirement for internet messaging service providers and social media platform providers.
This requirement, which began on 1 January 2025, applies to service providers that meet the necessary licensing criteria.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching told the Dewan Negara today, as of March 4, 2025, MCMC has received applications from three service providers seeking to register as license holders under the Class Application Service Provider (ASP(C)) license, as stipulated by the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588).
Following the evaluation process, the three providers who have been granted licenses to operate in Malaysia are WeChat International Pte Ltd, TikTok Pte Ltd, and Telegram Messenger Inc.
The deputy minister said this in response to a question raised by Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew who called on the Communications Minister to provide details regarding the number of companies that have applied for social media platform licenses and how many of these applications have been approved.
Additionally, In addressing concerns regarding unlicensed service providers, MCMC has stated that it is conducting further investigations to ensure any unresolved issues are addressed in an effective manner, Teo said.
“MCMC’s commitment for thorough examinations and resolution underscores the importance of proper regulation within Malaysia’s growing digital landscape.” March 25, 2025
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