Malaysia Cracks Down on Illegal Online News with New Legislation
Malaysia's federal government is drafting new legislation to combat the rise of illegal online news, particularly in rural areas. The proposed law aims to strengthen enforcement against digital platforms, which have surged in popularity since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bill, still unnamed, may be introduced in the next Dewan Rakyat session, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. Authorities are exploring legal options, including updates to existing statutes or the creation of a new act to address gaps in current regulations.
Over the past five years, illegal online news has spread rapidly in rural Malaysia, especially in Sarawak. Police reports show a 300% increase in related arrests, driven by improved internet access and economic pressures after the pandemic. In response, local authorities conducted over 500 raids in 2025 and blocked 1,200 illegal websites with support from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). Community outreach campaigns were also launched to curb the trend.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail previously called for reforms to tackle online news, suggesting amendments to the Common Gaming Houses Act and new provisions in a proposed Cyber Crime Bill. Officials have stressed that digital platforms pose greater challenges than traditional news operations, requiring updated laws to enhance monitoring and blocking capabilities.
The new framework is designed to give law enforcement stronger tools to act against illegal operators, particularly those using mobile technology across multiple jurisdictions. Authorities have linked the legislation to broader social concerns, including the exposure of younger and vulnerable groups to unregulated news. Police have also pushed for better coordination with digital infrastructure bodies to improve website blocking and tracking systems.
The draft bill remains under review, with policymakers weighing different legal approaches. If passed, it will provide clearer mechanisms to target online news operators and reduce their social impact.
Enforcement agencies expect the new law to address long-standing challenges in tracking and shutting down illegal digital platforms, particularly in regions where online news has grown most rapidly.
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