The Malaysian government is set to confront social media giant Meta later this month regarding a surge of illegal online gambling promotions circulating on Facebook. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that he will meet Meta executives on September 22 to demand tougher measures against the persistent problem.

Fahmi stressed that the government has consistently flagged the issue to Meta, but the platform remains saturated with such advertisements. “The majority of content taken down from Facebook is related to gambling. It is far too easy to find such material on the platform,” he told reporters according to Scoop.

He underscored that the issue is not limited to content moderation but also extends to Meta’s handling of payments for prohibited ads. “If a gambling ad is paid for using a credit card, and Facebook knows this content is illegal in Malaysia, they should block the credit card account used. But Facebook has refused to do so,” Fahmi said.

Dialogue, Not Punishment

Despite mounting frustration, the minister ruled out drastic measures such as banning or restricting the platform. Fahmi emphasized that Facebook remains widely used by Malaysians for economic and social activities, and shutting it down would unfairly penalize ordinary users.

“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 intends to pursue “constructive dialogue” with Meta to reach practical solutions.

The upcoming talks will also touch on the issue of licensing. Several unresolved questions remain about the Class Licence for Applications Service Providers (ASP), which governs certain types of digital services operating in Malaysia. Fahmi noted that Meta has raised queries on this matter, which he expects will be clarified during the September 22 discussions.

Safe Internet Campaign and Community Engagement

While online gambling remains a pressing concern, the Ministry of Communications is also advancing broader efforts to make the internet safer for Malaysian families. Fahmi highlighted the Safe Internet Campaign, an initiative spearheaded by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

As part of the campaign, MCMC has already reached more than 2,600 schools nationwide with plans to expand to 10,000 schools by next year. Universities and colleges are also being engaged in the program, which aims to instill responsible digital habits among children and young adults.

“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,” Fahmi said.

During his three-day working visit to Penang, Fahmi also praised the role of National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) managers in promoting online safety. Under the 1 State Constituency 1 Nadi initiative, 42 Nadis have been set up in Penang. As of May 2025, these centers have drawn over 10,800 members and logged nearly 17,800 participations in smart service programs. Fahmi described Nadi managers as vital “ambassadors” for educating local communities on responsible internet use.

Expectations from Meta

As Malaysia prepares for the high-level meeting, the government’s expectations remain clear: Meta must do more to stop criminals from exploiting its services. Fahmi reiterated that while the country values the economic and social contributions of Meta’s platforms, tolerance for illegal gambling activities is non-existent.

The minister expressed hope that the upcoming session will result in stronger collaboration with Meta and more effective enforcement against harmful content. By addressing both licensing concerns and the gambling ad surge, the government aims to ensure safer use of social media platforms in Malaysia without undermining their positive role in society.