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Guide to the Global Leaders in Media Law Practice

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Malaysia’s media market activity over the past year represents government commitment to enhancing its media sector in a bid to balance regulatory oversight with the demands of a rapidly evolving digital market.

In January 2025, amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA 1998) came into effect. Changes to the regulatory framework include stricter licensing requirements for social media platforms and digital content providers with a substantial user base in Malaysia. The reforms primarily focus on strengthening oversight of social media companies as well as addressing online harm.

The bill was passed by the Dewan Rakyat, House of Representatives, and the Dewan Negara, Senate, of the Malaysian Parliament in December 2024. The law mandates that all social media and internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users in Malaysia obtain an Applications Service Providers Class Licence. Platforms such as WeChat and TikTok were among the first to secure these licenses, with the goal of enhancing online safety and addressing issues like fraud and hate speech. In a statement today reported by Bernama, the Ministry of Communications stated that the new law intended to create a safer and more sustainable Internet ecosystem for users.

In other developments, the Malaysian gaming and e-sports industry has expanded rapidly, with increased investment in gaming content creation, tournaments, and dedicated streaming channels. Content in Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, Tamil, and other local languages has grown across platforms, accounting for Malaysia's diverse population.

There's been increased investment in Malaysian-produced content for domestic consumption and international export, supported by government initiatives, meanwhile marketing budgets have continued to migrate from traditional to digital channels, with emphasis on social media, influencer marketing and programmatic advertising.