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THE Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has published its Public Inquiry (PI) Report on the proposed Mandatory Standards for the Registration of End-users of Prepaid Public Cellular Services, following extensive consultation with industry stakeholders and the public.
The inquiry, conducted under sections 55 and 61 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA 1998), ran for 45 days from 14 October to 28 November 2025, receiving a total of 15 submissions—ten from service providers and five from members of the public.
MCMC highlighted that weaknesses in current prepaid registration practices have contributed to the widespread misuse of SIM cards for fraudulent activities, including online scams.
“Current self-registration mechanisms, which rely on document uploads, remain vulnerable to forgery and identity theft, while the absence of a secure digital identity anchor limits traceability and accountability,” the report noted.
These gaps, it added, present significant risks to consumer safety, national security, and the integrity of digital services, creating an urgent need for a secure, uniform, and enforceable framework.
Feedback from both industry and the public indicated broad support for more stringent safeguards, reflecting a shared recognition that enhanced requirements are necessary to protect consumers and reinforce trust in digital services.
The proposed Mandatory Standards introduce a strengthened regulatory framework that includes secure automated registration platforms, biometric authentication, and clearly defined responsibilities for service providers and dealers.
These measures aim to prevent fraudulent registrations and the misuse of prepaid services.
A central innovation within the framework is the integration of MyDigital ID as a verification tool for self-registration, applicable to individuals with a registered digital identity.
This initiative aligns with the government’s national digital identity programme and offers higher assurance for prepaid registration, improving both integrity and reliability.
The PI Report, now publicly available at MCMC’s website, summarises the feedback received and presents the Commission’s final assessment and policy position, demonstrating MCMC’s commitment to transparency and consultative regulatory development.
Following the report’s publication, the Mandatory Standards will be formally issued as a Commission Determination under sections 55 and 104(4) of the CMA 1998, accompanied by Frequently Asked Questions, expected by the end of February 2026.
MCMC stated that the strengthened measures are part of a broader effort to safeguard consumers, reinforce digital trust, and secure Malaysia’s telecommunications ecosystem against fraud and misuse. - January 28, 2026