Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil stated that Facebook alone received 168,774 removal requests from Malaysian authorities as of 19 September 2025, representing nearly 59 percent of all takedown demands made across social media platforms in the country.

Out of these, 120,000 requests were related to online gambling. Meta removed 114,000 posts, but several thousand still remained online, exposing the gaps in enforcement. Scam content also persisted, with 37,722 reports filed. Although Meta deleted most of these, a few hundred remain unresolved.

Malaysia rebukes slow response 

Fahmi criticised Meta for what he described as slow and partial responses, saying the company’s actions undermine efforts to protect Malaysians from cybercrime. “Meta’s lack of timely action exposes internet users to scams and harmful gambling networks,” he warned.

Police figures underline the scale of the problem. Between 2023 and August 2025, e-commerce scams carried out across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp cost Malaysians more than RM 248 million ($52.7 million). Authorities reported 18,128 cases, many of which were linked to fraudulent online sales.

Officials argue that stronger and faster cooperation from Meta is essential to reduce such losses. While the company has promised to improve its response, Malaysian leaders say concrete results remain absent.

Meeting planned since last week 

The issue was the subject of a high-level meeting involving Meta representatives, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the police Criminal Investigation Department, the Commercial Crime Investigation Department, and several ministries.

The discussions went beyond scams and gambling to include other harmful content, notably material involving race, religion and royalty (3R issues), which officials fear could threaten social harmony. Authorities also raised concerns about the sale of drug-laced vapes online, another problem that has flourished across Meta platforms.

Government crackdown ensues 

The Government argues that the challenge extends beyond Meta, pointing to the broader struggle of ensuring that global tech companies respect national regulations. Officials warned that delayed or incomplete action risks undermining Malaysia’s cyber safety policies.

In addition, the MCMC reported that more than 558,000 pieces of unlawful content were removed between January 2022 and August 2025. The majority involved illegal gambling and online fraud, targeted under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 in cooperation with the police and regulators.

Online gambling, in particular, remains a serious concern. While legal gambling is limited to licensed lotteries, horse racing and the Resorts World Genting casino, all forms of online gambling are banned in Malaysia. Authorities say illegal operators exploit loopholes to reach consumers, often using social media as a gateway.

New code of conduct for social media firms

To strengthen digital protections, Malaysia has introduced a new Code of Conduct and now requires social media firms to obtain an Application Service Provider licence. The Safe Internet Campaign has also been launched to raise awareness of age-appropriate digital access and cyber threats, with a particular focus on protecting children online.

For Malaysia, the message to Meta is clear: the platform must act more decisively and responsibly. Officials insist that only with stronger safeguards and faster takedowns can the country prevent scams, protect users and ensure social stability in an increasingly digital age.