Malaysia: Ministry of Communications adopted order on implementation date for Online Safety Act 2025 (P.U. (B) 449/2025)

On 8 December 2025, Malaysia’s Minister of Communications appointed 1 January 2026 as the date on which the Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866) will enter into force, in accordance with subsection 1(2) of the Act. This subsection empowers the Minister to appoint the commencement date by notification in the Gazette. The Act regulates harmful online content and establishes the duties and obligations of application service providers, content application service providers, and network service providers. It requires these providers to implement risk-based safety measures, child protection safeguards, and reporting mechanisms. It provides for the regulation of categories of harmful online content, including material relating to child sexual abuse, financial fraud, harassment, and incitement to violence or terrorism. It also establishes an Online Safety Committee to oversee regulatory implementation and an Online Safety Appeal Tribunal to adjudicate disputes arising from enforcement decisions.