Credit : Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)
CYBERJAYA October 21, 2026 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Content Forum have met video streaming service providers, including Over-the-Top (OTT) and Video-on-Demand (VOD) platforms, to strengthen responsible content management and ensure Malaysia’s religious, racial, cultural and social sensitivities continue to be respected.
In a media statement issued on Wednesday, MCMC said the engagement session was held in collaboration with the Content Forum and brought together major international and local streaming players.
The session was in line with the emphasis by Communications Minister Dato’ Seri Fahmi Fadzil that creative freedom must be balanced with the responsibility to respect religious values, racial harmony and cultural sensitivities, which the statement described as “the foundation of national unity”.
Protecting Children
MCMC stressed the importance of effective safeguards by service providers, particularly to protect children from inappropriate content.
According to the statement, these measures include internal content reviews, appropriate age classification, parental controls and easily accessible complaint-handling mechanisms.
The session also involved the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM).
Discussions covered compliance with the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 [Act 588], the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Content Code, and related content classification guidelines and practices.
The discussions also took into account the differences in regulatory frameworks between OTT and VOD services and conventional broadcasting, while giving industry players room to seek clarification, share their views and explore practical improvements.
Industry Participation
Industry participants at the session included Netflix, Apple TV, the Motion Picture Association (MPA), the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA), Astro (Astro GO and Sooka), iQIYI, Media Prima Berhad (Tonton), MYTV Mana-Mana, Unifi TV and Viu.
MCMC said the turnout reflected broad engagement by content providers as well as local and international industry associations, noting that AVIA’s membership also includes major international players such as Disney, Amazon and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).
“Service providers must manage content responsibly and comply with applicable Malaysian laws,” the commission said.
MCMC and the Content Forum will continue working with the industry to strengthen self-regulation, consumer protection and shared accountability.
“However, appropriate regulatory action will still be taken in the event of any breach of the law,” the statement said.
About the Content Forum
The Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia, known as the Content Forum, is the industry body designated under Section 212 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 to oversee and promote self-regulation of content over electronic networks. It was registered as a society in February 2001.
The forum is responsible for implementing and enforcing the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Content Code, which was first registered with MCMC on September 1, 2004. A revamped version, the Content Code 2022, was registered on May 30, 2022, to keep pace with developments in technology and changing societal needs.
The code sets out standards and best practices for content dissemination in Malaysia’s communications and multimedia industry. Compliance with the code is voluntary, subject to the provisions of the Act, and the forum’s Complaints Bureau is empowered to investigate possible breaches, mediate disputes and impose sanctions where necessary.
The forum’s members include advertisers, broadcasters, content creators and distributors, internet service providers and civic groups. Following a 2024 amendment to its constitution, it also opened a membership category for technology, media and digital service providers.
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