The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has been urged to enforce network security standards on telecommunications companies to curb the growing problem of phone scam crimes.
President of Pertubuhan Jalinan Sahabat Nusantara (Jasanusa), Samsudin Awang, said such measures are necessary to prevent public confidence in the national telecommunications system from eroding, while also safeguarding the international reputation of the Communications Ministry.
He said Malaysia’s failure to effectively combat telecommunications-related scams is not due to weak technology or a lack of technical expertise.
“Instead, it is largely an administrative issue, where MCMC — as the regulator with full authority over the industry — is perceived to be too lenient towards telecommunications companies,” he said in a statement today.
Samsudin noted that, to date, no prosecutions have been taken against any telecommunications company linked to scam activities affecting their customers.
He said police continue to receive reports of new fraud cases almost daily, involving losses amounting to millions of ringgit, with scam tactics becoming increasingly sophisticated and constantly evolving.
“This situation suggests that while scammers continue to innovate, enforcement agencies and the telecommunications industry have failed to respond proactively,” he said.
Samsudin also questioned MCMC’s failure to mandate the comprehensive implementation of anti-spoofing technology, pointing out that many developed countries have long adopted such measures.
He cited Singapore as an example, noting that the technology has already been implemented there through the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).
According to him, this inaction has led to public perception that MCMC is reactive, defensive, and overly focused on statistics or monetary losses, while the public continues to bear the psychological and financial consequences of scams.
He added that telecommunications companies should not be absolved of responsibility for losses suffered by customers, stressing that security is a fundamental component of the services they provide.
