1. Social Media Scam Data (January 1 to Mid-August)
- Over 127,000 Scam Contents: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) detected more than 127,000 scam-related contents across major social media platforms and has requested their complete removal.
- The "Top Two" Account for 92%: Among all scam contents, Facebook and TikTok are the worst-hit areas, collectively accounting for 92% of the total.
- Platform Breakdown:
- Facebook: Topped the list, accounting for 53% of all online scam contents.
- TikTok: Followed closely behind, accounting for 39%.
- Threads: Accounted for 5%.
2. Online Gambling Content Rampant, Facebook "Firmly in the Lead"
Apart from pure scams, as high as 64% of the harmful contents requested by MCMC for removal during the same period were related to online gambling.
- Regarding online gambling content, the proportion on Facebook reached a staggering 78%.
- The remaining gambling-related contents were distributed across YouTube (18%) and TikTok (4%).
3. Fahmi’s Critical Remarks and Sarcasm
- Sarcasm Towards Meta: Fahmi openly criticized Facebook for not only being the social media platform with the most serious problems and fake accounts in the country, but he also sarcastically suggested that the government should establish an annual award dedicated to "praising" the platform that commits the most crimes against Malaysians.
- Severe Warning to Tech Giants: He emphasized that social media platforms (especially Meta) must shoulder greater social responsibility and be more proactive in detecting, blocking, and actively removing harmful content, rather than relying solely on government departments or passive user reports. Previously, the Malaysian government has also taken a tough stance against Meta, not ruling out legal action against platforms that fail to effectively curb scams.
4. Background of Alarming Financial Losses
When releasing the data, Fahmi also highlighted the grim situation of online scams in the country:
- Although the total losses caused by online scams last year (2025) reached as high as RM2.9 billion, according to the latest statistics, in the first half of this year alone (as of mid-August), the economic losses suffered by Malaysians due to online scams have already reached RM958 million, posing a massive threat to the national economy and citizens' property.
The government is currently strengthening intelligence enforcement through the MCMC, implementing stricter prepaid SIM card registration and digital identity verification measures, and continuously applying pressure on major social media platforms to compel them to deliver more effective security and prevention mechanisms.
