KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 828,438 pieces of online gambling-related content have been removed and 7,411 gambling websites blocked since 2022, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said.
He said the action was taken between Jan 1, 2022, and Sept 15 this year as part of the government’s efforts to curb illegal online gambling and betting activities.
Fahmi said the crackdown involved coordinated enforcement by the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), in accordance with their respective jurisdictions.
“The Royal Malaysia Police is responsible for investigating and enforcing laws against gambling offences, while MCMC provides technical support, including blocking websites and removing content,” he said when winding up the debate on the 2027 Supply Bill in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said enforcement had also been strengthened through joint operations with the police, including Op JOL and Op Soga XI this year.
Op Soga XI also targeted online gambling and betting activities linked to football matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he said.
Fahmi said MCMC had also strengthened operational cooperation with the police and service providers through Op Pancing and Op Delusi this year to curb the large-scale distribution of SMS messages using Fake Base Transceiver Station (Fake BTS) equipment.
“Such messages contained various forms of content and links designed to lure users, including to platforms involved in illegal online activities,” he said.
He said the Risk Mitigation Code, which came into force on June 1 under the Online Safety Act 2025, required licensed service providers to reduce users’ exposure to harmful content, including online scams, through their algorithmic and recommendation systems.
The code also requires users of paid advertising services to undergo verification against government-issued records, such as company incorporation certificates from the Companies Commission of Malaysia or identification documents for individuals.
Fahmi said the government had also established the Working Committee to Address Online Fraud Crimes on July 17, with 55 initiatives spanning five key areas: investigation, operations, technology, legislation and prevention.
The initiatives include strengthening intelligence gathering and data sharing, coordinating operations, mitigating online content networks, improving platform accountability, and enhancing prevention and early intervention, he said.
