Telegram to cooperate with authorities to curb cyber crimes, Fahmi says

Telegram is prepared to build closer cooperation with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the police to fight cyber crimes taking place via the application. 

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, Kuala Lumpur today.

Also present in the meeting were MCMC chairman Salim Fateh Din, Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, Bukit Aman CID director Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay and several top police officers.

"In the over-an-hour meeting, 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 and comply with Malaysian laws," said Fahmi in a statement.

Meanwhile, he said since 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.