THE country’s communications regulator has escalated its crackdown on harmful online content by issuing a statutory demand against TikTok over alleged failures to remove offensive and defamatory material targeting the country’s Royal Institution.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission(MCMC) said the action followed the circulation of content linked to an account falsely purporting to represent His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
According to the regulator, the content included AI-generated videos, manipulated images and other material deemed “grossly offensive, false, menacing and insulting”, raising concerns not only under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 but also under other Malaysian penal laws.
The commission said it viewed the misuse of digital platforms to spread harmful material involving the monarchy as a serious threat to public order and constitutional respect, particularly because such cases fall within the highly sensitive framework of race, religion and royalty — commonly referred to in Malaysia as 3R issues.
“MCMC take serious view of any misuse of online platforms to disseminate content that is grossly offensive, false, menacing or detrimental to public order, particularly where it involves the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers,” the commission said.
The regulator warned that content involving the Royal Institution carried broader implications for national harmony and constitutional stability.
The statutory demand was issued after authorities concluded that TikTok’s moderation response had been inadequate despite repeated notifications and engagements with the platform.
“Despite prior notifications and engagements, TikTok’s moderation response to the content has been found unsatisfactory, particularly in ensuring prompt removal and preventing further dissemination of harmful material,” MCMC said in a statement on Thursday.
The commission stressed that social media platforms operating in Malaysia were expected to exercise stronger responsibility in preventing their services from being exploited for unlawful activities.
Under the statutory demand, TikTok has been instructed to implement immediate remedial measures, including strengthening content moderation systems, improving enforcement mechanisms against unlawful material and formally explaining the platform’s alleged moderation failures.
The regulator also signalled the possibility of further legal escalation if digital platforms fail to comply with Malaysian laws concerning harmful online content.
“MCMC emphasises that it will continue to take necessary and proportionate action within its regulatory powers, including further legal measures where appropriate, to address the misuse of online platforms,” the statement said.
The latest action reflects increasing scrutiny by Malaysian authorities over the role of global technology companies in moderating politically and socially sensitive content, particularly material involving the monarchy, religion and race which authorities consider capable of destabilising public order.
MCMC said it would continue taking “firm and proportionate action” to ensure digital platforms operating in Malaysia uphold responsibilities aimed at maintaining “a safe, secure and respectful online environment.” - May 21, 2026
