Malaysia: Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission issued report on removal of content regarding religion, royalty, and race content under Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588)

On 7 February 2026, the Minister of Communications announced that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) coordinated the removal of 1’493 pieces of content related to religion, royalty, and race (3R) in cooperation with global platform operators. The removals followed 2’486 complaints submitted between 1 January 2025 and 31 January 2026 requesting the takedown of sensitive material. The Minister stated that, although freedom of expression is protected under Federal Court jurisprudence, it does not extend to defamatory or 3R-related content. Under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588), the transmission of grossly offensive content constitutes a criminal offence punishable by fines of up to MYR 500’000.