THE government has formally established the Online Safety Committee as the nation’s highest strategic advisory body on digital protection, coinciding with the enforcement of the Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866), which took effect on January 1.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the creation of the committee is in line with Section 5 of the Online Safety Act.
“The Online Safety Committee will function as the highest strategic advisory body guiding the direction of online safety, including monitoring and providing recommendations on online content safety,” she said in a statement yesterday.
Azalina emphasised that the committee’s role extends beyond administrative oversight. It will provide substantive guidance, advising the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on the classification of harmful or priority content, including child sexual exploitation and financial fraud.
The committee will also develop risk analysis methods and mitigation strategies to protect users from online harm, assess the effectiveness of complaint mechanisms, and monitor enforcement actions against illegal content.
In addition, the committee will undertake technical research and expert analysis of emerging cybercrime trends, including the misuse of artificial intelligence and the proliferation of deepfakes.
Nine members have been appointed to the committee for a three-year term from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028, drawing on expertise from the public sector, private sector, and civil society.
Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim will serve as chairman, with Datuk Lim Thean Shiang as deputy chairman.
Other members include Barhoum Abe Abed, representing Licensed Applications Service Providers; Mohd Kasyful Azim Ab Rahman, representing Licensed Network Service Providers; and Dr Ruzimi Mohamed, representing persons with disabilities.
Additional appointees—Datuk Zurkarnain Mohd Yasin, Thiyagu Ganesan, Datuk Seri Dr Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos, and Wathshlah Naidu—bring experience and expertise in online safety matters.
Azalina stressed that while the Madani Government is committed to safeguarding freedom of expression, it will prioritise public safety, particularly in protecting vulnerable groups from online harm. - January 3, 2025
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