Malaysia’s Senate (Dewan Negara) has passed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) (Amendment) Bill 2026, aimed at strengthening the commission’s governance, operational functions and regulatory role over the country’s communications and digital industries.
The bill was approved by a majority voice vote on Monday after being debated by 11 senators.
Winding up the debate, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching revealed that MCMC had intensified its enforcement against online gambling, with 222,257 gambling-related online contents removed during the first seven months of 2026.
She said the number of online contents removed by social media platform operators has risen sharply over the past few years, from just two cases in 2022 to 18,814 in 2023, 189,484 in 2024, and 289,486 in 2025.
“As of July 31 this year, 222,257 pieces of online gambling-related content have been taken down,” she said.
According to Teo, the removals were carried out either at MCMC’s request or voluntarily by digital platform service providers.
She added that between 2022 and July 31, 2026, authorities had also blocked 6,982 gambling websites.
Teo explained that while online gambling offences fall primarily under the jurisdiction of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), MCMC provides technical assistance, digital forensic analysis and internet access blocking upon official requests from enforcement agencies.
The amendment bill also introduces governance reforms by prohibiting politicians from being appointed as MCMC chairman.
“The chairman cannot be a member of the legislature. Members of Parliament and state assemblymen are not eligible. This amendment limits the minister’s appointment powers to ensure only qualified individuals are selected,” she said.
Earlier during the debate, Senator Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman said the amendments were timely as the communications and multimedia sector has evolved into a strategic national infrastructure rather than merely an economic sector.
He stressed that the success of the amendments would depend not only on the legal powers granted to MCMC but also on the commission’s ability to exercise those powers professionally, transparently and effectively to safeguard public interests.
Meanwhile, Senator Muhammad Hasbie Muda said appointments to the commission should be based on expertise and merit.
He said reform should not only expand MCMC’s powers but also ensure every authority exercised by the commission remains transparent, effective and accountable to the public.
The bill, which was previously approved by the Dewan Rakyat on July 15, contains 17 clauses, including amendments to Section 16 of Act 589 to clarify MCMC’s role in developing and regulating digital infrastructure standards and digital platforms.
