The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) held an engagement session on May 20 with civil society organisations to discuss measures for online safety and child protection, including age verification for users under 16 and the development of a Child Protection Code [1, 2].
The session aimed to gather feedback to strengthen a comprehensive and balanced regulatory framework to protect children and users in Malaysia's digital ecosystem [1, 2]. MCMC emphasized prioritizing a safer online environment for children and families while reinforcing user protection nationally [1, 2].
Fifty-seven organisations were invited to the session, but only 12 representatives attended [1, 2]. Presenters included key officials such as Suhakam Children's Commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki; Senior Assistant Commissioner Siti Kamsiah Hassan, assistant director of Bukit Aman’s Sexual, Women and Child Investigation Division; and Online Safety Committee chairman Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim alongside deputy chairman Datuk Lim Thean Shiang [1, 2].
The engagement provides input for the regulatory framework MCMC is working to enhance, focusing on effective online safety policies and a child protection code tailored to Malaysia’s needs [1, 2]. The commission’s efforts are part of broader steps to safeguard children in the national digital landscape.
The next steps or further consultations on the formulation of the Child Protection Code have not been announced yet.
