A new Online Safety Committee, chaired by Tan Sri Hasnah Mohamed Hashim, will guide national strategy and monitor harmful content under the new law.
PUTRAJAYA: The government has established the Online Safety Committee as the nation’s highest strategic advisory body on digital safety.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the committee’s formation follows the enforcement of the Online Safety Act 2025.
“The Online Safety Committee will function as the highest strategic advisory body guiding the direction of online safety, including monitoring and providing recommendations on online content safety,” she said.
Azalina stated the committee will carry out substantive functions beyond administration.
It will advise the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission on classifying harmful content like child sexual exploitation and financial fraud.
The committee will also determine risk analysis methods and mitigation strategies to protect users from online harm.
Further responsibilities include assessing complaint mechanisms and monitoring enforcement against unlawful content.
It will conduct technical research on emerging cybercrime trends, including AI misuse and deepfakes.
Nine members have been appointed for a three-year term effective from January 1 until December 31, 2028.
Tan Sri Hasnah Mohamed Hashim has been appointed as the committee’s chairman.
Datuk Lim Thean Shiang will serve as the deputy chairman.
Other members include representatives from licensed service providers and persons with disabilities.
Appointees Datuk Zurkarnain Mohd Yasin, Thiyagu Ganesan, Datuk Seri Dr Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos and Wathshlah Naidu bring relevant expertise.
Azalina reiterated the government’s commitment to respecting freedom of expression.
She stressed it will not compromise on public safety, especially for vulnerable groups online.
