Bernama reported him as saying the figure showed a significant increase from the previous 10 cases per day, highlighting the importance of enforcing social media licensing to create a safer online ecosystem for social media users.

“On Facebook last year, the total number of online fraud cases reported to the commercial crime investigation department amounted to RM432 million in losses for the Malaysian public.

“For sexual crimes, especially those involving children on social media, the number of cases in 2023 was 525, while as of Nov 1, 2024, a total of 815 (content takedown) applications were made regarding child sexual abuse material content on social media,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Fahmi was replying to Hassan Karim’s (PH-Pasir Gudang) question on whether the enforcement of the social media licensing framework would affect the public’s freedom to online access.

Gazetted on Aug 1, the licensing requirement for internet messaging services and social media providers will come into effect on Jan 1, 2025.

Providers will need to apply for an applications service provider class licence under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

Fahmi said the act contains strong protective measures to balance the need for regulation with the protection of freedom of speech and information.

Replying to another question from Abdul Latif Abdul Rahman (PN-Kuala Krai), Fahmi said the licensing measures would not affect small traders as only service providers are required to obtain licences from MCMC.

He said the government currently does not intend to shut down any social media platform that fails to obtain a licence by 2025.

However, he said platforms that fail to obtain a licence could face legal action, including fines of up to RM250,000.

Fahmi added that platforms that are found guilty in court could be fined RM1,000 per day for operating without a licence.