KUCHING, May 22 — Users of social media platforms will need to upload official government-issued documents for age verification following the implementation of two new codes under the Online Safety Act (ONSA) introduced by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), effective June 1.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said under the two codes, namely the Children’s Protection Code (CPC) and the Risk Mitigation Code (RMC), documents that may be used include identity cards and passports to prevent users under the age of 16 from opening social media accounts.

“We have now asked platforms to implement age verification. Users need to verify their age using government-issued documents such as identity cards, passports or other official documents.

“If it is merely self-declared, anyone can simply click and claim they are above 18 years old,” she told reporters after officiating the Safe Internet Campaign Community Carnival here today.

Teo said MCMC, however, had not prescribed any specific technology that platforms must use for the age verification process.

According to her, the government will provide a reasonable period for social media platforms to implement the age verification process for existing accounts before enforcement action is taken.

“For existing accounts that have yet to complete age verification, MCMC is still discussing a reasonable timeframe after engaging with the involved social media platforms, including TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.

“Those who fail to complete verification may have their accounts closed, or the social media platforms may need to use artificial intelligence to ensure users are aged 16 and above,” she said.

Teo said the government had previously decided that children under the age of 16 were not allowed to open or own social media accounts on platforms with more than eight million users in Malaysia.

She said the two codes were published following engagement sessions with industry players, civil society organisations and stakeholders conducted since the beginning of this year.

Earlier, in her speech, Teo said that from January to April this year alone, a total of 23,367 online scam cases were reported involving losses amounting to RM680.3 million.

She said that since the Safe Internet Campaign was launched in January 2025 until April 30 this year, more than 11,000 programmes had been carried out nationwide involving over 1.8 million participants comprising school students, youths, parents, educators, senior citizens and local communities. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 — Malaysia has invited Chinese enterprises to deepen cooperation with local companies in advanced digital technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), 5G applications and clean energy solutions as the country continues to strengthen its digital economy ecosystem.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said international collaboration remained a core driver of Malaysia’s digital economy growth and bilateral cooperation with China had continued to expand.

“At the same time, Malaysia continues to welcome international collaboration as a core driver of our digital economy. We warmly invite Chinese enterprises to deepen cooperation with Malaysian counterparts in areas such as advanced digital technologies, artificial intelligence, 5G applications and clean energy solutions,” she said in her speech at the 2026 China Smart Industry Trade Exhibition here today.

Also present were Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing and China Entrepreneurs’ Association in Malaysia (PUCM) president Datuk Keith Li.

Teo said enterprises from both countries should leverage their complementary strengths and work closely together to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

“We encourage enterprises from both countries to learn from one another, leverage complementary strengths, and work in close partnership to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and deliver tangible benefits to our people,” she said.

She said China had remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years, with cooperation in smart technology and the digital economy growing from strength to strength.

“Both nations share complementary strengths, with China bringing advanced tech innovation, while Malaysia offers a strategic Asean hub, digital infrastructure and a vibrant market,” she said.

Teo also welcomed the establishment of the Malaysia-China Digital Economy Alliance, jointly promoted by PUCM, National Tech Association of Malaysia (PIKOM) and Silk Road Group.

She added that the alliance would serve as a bridge to foster policy alignment, industrial synergy and innovation exchange, while accelerating the deployment of smart technologies and unlocking greater potential for bilateral and regional digital growth. — Bernama