THE Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail has thrown his support behind the Deeming Provision introduced by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, describing it as a timely measure to address serious and growing threats in the digital space, including crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.
Mohd Khalid said the Royal Malaysia Police welcomed the initiative, which was announced on Monday, as digital ecosystems increasingly require more responsive and robust regulatory approaches.
“The digital ecosystem now demands a more responsive regulatory approach to address threats such as child sexual exploitation crimes, online fraud, the spread of extremist content and the misuse of digital platforms,” he said in a statement.
“This effort is part of a shared commitment to protect Malaysia’s future generations and ensure they are safe in the cyber environment of the future,” he added.
He said the police would work closely with MCMC and other agencies through a whole-of-government approach to ensure that the new mechanisms being finalised would enhance the effectiveness of investigations.
“This includes strengthening information-sharing, as well as accelerating action against harmful content or activities in the digital space,” he said.
Mohd Khalid said the police remained committed to enforcing existing laws and to strengthening internal preparedness so that the forthcoming digital security framework could be effectively supported.
“We are confident that the implementation of this new framework will enhance protection for the public, strengthen the integrity of the national digital space and reinforce cooperation between the government and digital platform providers,” he said.
“This step also forms an important foundation in ensuring the safety of future generations, especially children and families, in an increasingly challenging cyber landscape,” he added.
Under the Deeming Provision, all internet messaging and social media service providers with eight million or more users in Malaysia will automatically be considered registered as holders of a Class Licence for Application Service Providers from Jan 1, 2026.
The measure is implemented under Section 46A of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
MCMC said the move is aimed at ensuring that large-scale service providers operating in Malaysia do so within the country’s legal and regulatory framework in an orderly, consistent and effective manner.
The approach is also aligned with the licensing framework for internet messaging and social media service providers that came into force on Jan 1 this year, which is intended to strengthen accountability and compliance with Malaysian law. - December 15, 2025
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