Introduction
The Communications and Multimedia (Amendment) Act 2025 (“Amendment Act”), which provides amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (“CMA 1998”), was passed by the Malaysian Parliament in December 2024 and came into effect on 11 February 2025. However, Section 92 (Sending of unsolicited commercial electronic messages) and Section 112 (Preservation of communications data) of the Amendment Act will come into effect on a later date to be determined by the Minister of Communications (“the Minister”).
Key Amendments to the CMA 1998
There have been major amendments made to the CMA 1998 via the Amendment Act, covering various matters. However, for the purposes of this article, we will be focusing on some of the key amendments to the CMA 1998 relating to the enhancement of protection for individuals and the powers of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (“MCMC”):
(a) Enhancement of the protection to individuals
(b) Enhancement of the MCMC’s powers
Conclusion
The Amendment Act introduces significant revisions to the CMA 1998. It is important for those affected by these amendments—especially licensees and service providers—to carefully review the changes and take the necessary steps to ensure full compliance, in order to avoid potential liabilities that may impact their operations.
- i.e. network facilities provider, network service provider, applications service provider or content applications service provider.
- Amendment Act, s 66.
- Under the new s 188(2) of the CMA 1998, incorporated pursuant to s67(a) of the Amendment Act.
- Under the new s 188(3) of the CMA 1998, incorporated pursuant to s 67(b) of the Amendment Act.
- Amendment Act, s 91(a).
- Amendment Act, s 91(b).
- Amendment Act, s 91(c).
- Amendment Act, s 92.
- Amendment Act, s 96.
- Amendment Act, s 20.
- Ibid.
- Amendment Act, s 81.
- Amendment Act, s 88.
- Ibid.
- Amendment Act, s 112.
- Ibid.
Written by:
Khairul Fazli Abdul Kadir khairul.fazli@azmilaw.com
Khaliesah Yusri Kamaruzaman general@azmilaw.com
Corporate Communications
Azmi & Associates
22 July 2025
