Deputy communications and multimedia minister Zahidi Zainul Abidin said the offences mostly involved insults against the royal institution, religion and race.

The Padang Besar MP said his ministry would continue to take action based on complaints it receives.

A committee has also been set up to counter fake news and to look out for postings on sensitive issues linked to race, religion and the royal institution, he said.

During his winding-up speech for his ministry on the 12th Malaysia Plan, Zahidi said developers would also need to prepare the digital infrastructure at new construction sites to ensure businesses and residents have ready access to the internet as soon as they move in.

Zahidi added that 94% of Malaysians enjoyed internet coverage. Only those in mountainous areas or areas with a sparse population, like in the case of Sarawak, could not enjoy such a facility.

“Some areas have coverage but weak connectivity. When there are too many users, the line slows down.”

Sometimes the infrastructure is vandalised, causing the internet to be disrupted.

The authorities also faced problems getting the permission of the landowners to build towers in certain areas, especially land which is privately owned.

Wilfred Madius Tangau (Upko-Tuaran) interjected to ask the government to look at satellite connectivity instead of building communication towers to improve internet services.