Telegram to cooperate with MCMC, cops to curb cybercrime: Fahmi

KUALA LUMPUR – Telegram is prepared to build closer cooperation with the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Royal Malaysia Police to fight cybercrime taking place via the app.

Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the commitment was pledged after Telegram held a meeting with him at the police headquarters in Bukit Aman here today.

Also present at the meeting were MCMC chair Tan Sri Salim Fateh Din, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, Bukit Aman criminal investigation department director Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, and several top police officers.

“In the meeting (lasting) over an hour, I stressed that there are too many criminal cases such as fake investments, paedophilia, pornography, and other online crimes taking place in Telegram.

“We also firmly stated that Telegram and any messaging applications or social media should adhere (to) and comply with Malaysian laws,” said Fahmi in a statement.

Meanwhile, he said from January 2020 to May 2023, the total losses suffered by Malaysians as a result of various scams via Telegram have exceeded RM45 million.

Fahmi said therefore the government would not be silent and allow criminals to hide behind fake identities.

“Hopefully the meeting today is a good start in cross-agency cooperation to ensure Telegram is safer to use,” he said.

On June 7, the Communications and Digital Ministry urged Telegram to hold a meeting with MCMC soon to avoid action relating to cyber security issues.

– Bernama