PUTRAJAYA, Jan 28 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has published a Public Inquiry Report on its proposed Determination of Mandatory Standards for the Registration of Prepaid Public Cellular Service Users (Mandatory Standards), per Section 65 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA 1998).
The report, now available at https://mcmc.gov.my/en/resources/reports/public-inquiry-report/public-inquiry-report-on-the-new-commission-determ, summarises all feedback received and outlines MCMC's final assessment and policy stance on the proposed mandatory standards.
“The publication reaffirms MCMC’s commitment to the development of a transparent and consultative regulatory framework.
“Subsequently, MCMC will issue and register the mandatory standards as Commission Determinations in accordance with sections 55 and 104(4) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, together with a set of Frequently Asked Questions, by the end of February 2026,” it said in a statement today.
The report was the result of a public inquiry conducted under Sections 55 and 61 of the CMA 1998, following the publication of the Public Inquiry Paper on October 14 last year.
MCMC said the minimum 45-day investigation period ended on November 28, and that it received 15 submissions, comprising 10 from service providers and 5 from the public.
It added that the weaknesses in the current prepaid registration system allow document forgery and identity theft, posing risks to consumer security, national security, and the integrity of digital services.
“The existing regulatory framework needs to be strengthened to address inconsistent registration practices and the existence of pre-activated SIM cards and fake registrations in the market,” the MCMC said.
The feedback received showed widespread support from the industry and the public for tightening the prepaid registration process to protect consumers and strengthen confidence in digital services.
It noted that the proposed mandatory standard introduces a stricter regulatory framework, including a secure automated registration platform, biometric authentication, and clear responsibilities for service providers and distributors.
“One of the key improvements is the integration of MyDigital ID as a verification mechanism for individuals who have digital identities, supporting the government’s national digital identity initiative and enhancing the integrity of the self-registration process,” the MCMC said.
