MCMC taking speedy action on red IC Facebook scams, says Teo

Deputy communications minister Teo Nie Ching said the process of obtaining permanent residency in Malaysia is complex and lengthy. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is taking immediate action to address scams on Facebook offering permanent resident (MyPR) identity cards, according to deputy communications minister Teo Nie Ching.

Teo said she has received complaints of Facebook pages falsely claiming to assist with applications for MyPR, also known as red ICs, with some even promising approval within 21 days.

She said such fraudulent activities will be investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice, Bernama reported.

“I urge everyone to remain vigilant and question the legitimacy of what they encounter online, particularly when it seems too good to be true. Remember, misinformation spreads quickly, and taking a moment to verify claims can save you from falling victim,” she said in a Facebook post.

“Many of these fraudulent posts are paid advertisements, which raises a critical question: how can platforms like Facebook, or their parent company Meta, allow such content to circulate without proper verification? This is a serious oversight that compromises user safety.”

Teo also explained that the process of obtaining permanent residency in Malaysia is complex and lengthy, involving multiple stages and strict protocols under the home ministry to ensure national security.

She said it is impossible for anyone to bypass these procedures or guarantee expedited approvals.

She said this situation shows the importance of the Online Safety Act 2024 and the Social Media Licensing Framework passed in the Dewan Rakyat recently.

The frameworks, which will be enforced on Jan 1, hold platform providers accountable, ensuring they act ethically and responsibly to protect users from harmful content.

“With these frameworks, we can compel platforms like Meta to not only remove misleading advertisements swiftly but also implement stricter measures to verify content before it reaches the public,” she said.

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