Malaysia Demands Action From Meta on Illegal Ads

KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian government is preparing to confront social media giant Meta later this month over a significant rise in illegal online gambling promotions circulating on Facebook. The move underscores growing concerns about the platform’s role in enabling illicit activities and the need for stricter enforcement of local laws.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that he will meet Meta executives on September 22, emphasizing the urgency of the matter. According to Fahmi, the government has consistently flagged the issue to Meta, but the platform remains saturated with gambling-related content. “The majority of content taken down from Facebook is related to gambling. It is far too easy to find such material on the platform,” Fahmi told reporters, as reported by Scoop.

The minister also raised concerns about Meta’s handling of payments for prohibited advertisements. Fahmi explained that if a gambling ad is paid for using a credit card, and the company is aware the content is illegal in Malaysia, it should block the card used. However, he claims Facebook has not implemented such measures, allowing the ads to continue circulating.

Balancing Regulation with User Access

Despite mounting frustration, Fahmi stressed that the government does not plan to implement extreme measures such as banning or restricting Facebook. He pointed out that millions of Malaysians rely on the platform for social and economic engagement. Shutting it down would unfairly penalize ordinary users rather than targeting the criminals exploiting it.

“Many people benefit from these platforms socially and economically — but we cannot allow criminals to misuse them for profit or to commit online crimes,” he said. Instead, the government seeks a constructive dialogue with Meta to find practical solutions to the persistent problem.

The upcoming discussions will also address unresolved questions about Malaysia’s Class Licence for Applications Service Providers (ASP), which regulates certain types of digital services operating in the country. Fahmi indicated that Meta has raised inquiries about the framework, and clarification is expected during the September 22 talks. While illegal gambling remains a pressing concern, the Ministry of Communications is also pursuing broader initiatives to create a safer online environment for Malaysians. Fahmi highlighted the Safe Internet Campaign, led by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

Since its launch, the campaign has reached over 2,600 schools nationwide, with plans to expand to 10,000 schools by next year. Universities and colleges are also being engaged to promote responsible digital habits among students. Fahmi emphasized that the initiative seeks to empower children and young adults to use the internet safely.

“It is to deliver the message that we must use the internet safely, and that in fact we have the ability to make the internet safer, especially for children and families,” he said.

During a three-day working visit to Penang, Fahmi also praised the National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) managers for their role in promoting digital literacy and online safety. Under the 1 State Constituency 1 Nadi initiative, 42 centers have been established in the state, attracting more than 10,800 members and recording nearly 17,800 participations in smart service programs. Fahmi described Nadi managers as vital “ambassadors” for educating local communities on responsible internet use.

Expectations and Moving Forward

As Malaysia prepares for the high-level meeting with Meta, the government’s expectations are clear: stronger measures must be implemented to prevent criminals from exploiting Facebook. Fahmi reiterated that while the government recognizes the social and economic benefits of Meta’s platforms, tolerance for illegal gambling activities will not be accepted.

By addressing both licensing issues and the surge of illegal gambling ads, Malaysia aims to ensure safer use of social media platforms without undermining their positive role in society. The government hopes that the upcoming dialogue will result in closer collaboration with Meta and more effective enforcement against harmful content.