MALAYSIA risks becoming a haven for international scam syndicates unless regulatory weaknesses and enforcement gaps are urgently addressed, according to the president of a regional consumer advocacy organisation.
Samsudin Awang, the President of Pertubuhan Jalinan Sahabat Nusantara (JASANUSA), warned that while existing legislation such as the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and the Consumer Protection Act 1999 is sufficient, weak enforcement and a lack of political will have allowed online fraud to proliferate unchecked.
“The government must stop hiding behind technical excuses and act decisively using existing laws. Online scams now result in losses amounting to billions of ringgit each year.
“Losses of RM1.9 billion as of September clearly show that the government has failed to prioritise scams as a national issue.
“How can the public feel safe when new cases emerge daily, yet government action remains reactive? Citizens are left to fight international syndicates on their own,” Samsudin said in a statement.
He cited Singapore as a regional example, where the national ScamShield application has significantly reduced scam calls.
“If Singapore can develop a national application to protect its citizens, why does Malaysia keep launching awareness campaigns as if that is the only solution? Every day, thousands lose their savings, yet the government moves in slow motion.
“This is not the time for soft press statements, but for firm, comprehensive, and uncompromising action. The government must demonstrate real commitment, not merely announce strategies on paper that never materialise.
“The people are tired of promises; all they want is protection, which has yet to be provided,” he added.
Samsudin also criticised the priorities of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), saying it removes social media content more swiftly than it blocks networks used by scam syndicates.
He called for a drastic change in approach, including immediate blocking of phone numbers and domains identified as sources of scams, and an end to repetitive meetings that yield no concrete results.
Telecommunications companies were also urged to take responsibility for system vulnerabilities that allow spoofed and fraudulent calls.
“MCMC could also introduce automated blocking systems that do not rely on user complaints. If telcos in Singapore can almost entirely block scam calls, why cannot telcos in Malaysia do the same?” he asked. - December 3, 2025
