98pc of flagged online gambling content removed

THE Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that 98 per cent of the online gambling content it flagged since 2025 has been taken down.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said from Jan 1 last year to Oct 31 this year, MCMC submitted 738,372 takedown requests for online gambling content, of which 724,879 were completed.

"In the same period, 2,603 gambling websites were blocked," she said during a question-and-answer session.

Teo was replying to Roy Angau Gingkoi (GPS-Lubok Antu), who asked whether MCMC could detect and block online gambling platforms, including through cooperation with the police.

Teo said the government used an integrated enforcement approach involving ministries and agencies.

"Police are the main enforcement agency under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, while MCMC carries out regulatory action on the misuse of platforms and communications networks under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and the Online Safety Act 2025," she said.

On technical capabilities, Teo said MCMC worked with the police to help in investigations, supply information and provide digital forensic analysis.

She added that MCMC also coordinated the takedown and blocking of online gambling content and websites based on its monitoring efforts and requests from enforcement agencies.

Teo said from January to July this year, 573 gambling websites were blocked and 253,424 pieces of online gambling content removed.

She said MCMC took part in police-led integrated operations, including Op JOL and Op Soga XI this year, to curb online gambling, including those linked to the 2026 World Cup.

MCMC also cooperated with the police and service providers through Op Pancing and Op Delusi to crack down on the misuse of Fake Base Transceiver Station equipment.

"The equipment is used to send SMS in bulk, including messages and links that can lead users to illegal platforms or activities," Teo added.