MCMC and police tighten net on online child exploitation

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 25, 2026

Malaysian authorities, through enhanced collaboration between the MCMC and Royal Malaysia Police, arrested 53 individuals involved in producing and distributing child sexual abuse material during coordinated operations. This crackdown, supported by technical and forensic expertise, reinforces Malaysia’s commitment to online safety and the enforcement of the Online Safety Act to protect vulnerable groups from exploitation.

PUTRAJAYA — Malaysian authorities are intensifying efforts to combat online child sexual exploitation through enhanced cooperation between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Royal Malaysia Police.

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil emphasized the pivotal role of the MCMC as the technical agency supporting law enforcement, particularly the D11 Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which focuses on sexual, women, and child-related investigations. The MCMC assists in tracking individuals who misuse network services to exploit children and women, ensuring they are identified, apprehended, and prosecuted.

Speaking after attending a Communications Ministry event on Thursday, Fahmi highlighted the technical and forensic collaboration between MCMC and the police, which is instrumental in investigating cases of online child sexual exploitation.

Recent enforcement efforts under Ops Pedo 3.0 resulted in the arrest of 53 individuals, including eight teenagers as young as 13 years old. Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk M. Kumar reported that the arrests came after coordinated operations conducted between September 14 and 16, based on intelligence shared between the CID’s D11 unit and the MCMC. The crackdown uncovered evidence of producing, distributing, and selling child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including videos and animations, disseminated through closed online groups. These materials were reportedly sold for sums ranging from RM50 to RM60.

In addition to enforcement actions, the MCMC is prioritizing the promotion of online safety through legal frameworks. Fahmi noted that the Online Safety Act underscores the responsibilities of social media platforms to maintain safe environments for users, especially vulnerable groups such as women and children. The regulation specifically prohibits individuals under the age of 16 from opening social media accounts, aiming to reduce exposure to harmful content.

These measures reflect Malaysia’s broader commitment to strengthening digital security and protecting children from online abuse, leveraging advanced technology alongside legislative and enforcement tools.

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