The government is reviewing the current limit on prepaid SIM card registrations as part of a stronger crackdown on scam syndicates exploiting eSIMs and fake identities.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said while eSIMs remain popular for international travel, their misuse has prompted enforcement operations nationwide this year. He noted that allowing up to five prepaid SIM cards per person with a single telco may have contributed to the rise in phone scams.
Fahmi explained that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has held public consultations to determine whether the registration limit should remain or be revised. He also reminded that, by the end of 2025, all prepaid card buyers must verify their identities through the National Digital Identity (MyDigital ID) system.
“We have already tightened registration procedures, but now we are assessing if more measures are needed,” he added, noting that MCMC may release an update soon. The minister highlighted a recent joint operation in Kajang where MCMC and police seized 5,000 misused SIM cards, revealing serious loopholes in the system.
In addition, the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) has been moved from Bank Negara Malaysia to MCMC headquarters in Cyberjaya to enhance operations. Its workforce has expanded from fewer than 20 officers to nearly 150, including personnel from the police Commercial Crime Investigation Department, the Association of Banks in Malaysia, and telecom companies.
“Bringing multiple agencies together under one roof allows for faster action, better coordination, and reduces the need for the public to make multiple reports,” Fahmi said.
