Today's top Malaysian news, sport and lifestyle.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has unveiled an artificial intelligence avatar to facilitate direct engagement with Malaysian citizens, particularly young people, inviting them to share views and feedback through the digital platform.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has warned the Malaysian media industry against adopting new technologies at the expense of journalistic values and national identity, cautioning that the country risks manipulation through digital dominance.
Japan's parliament has approved new regulations governing social media during elections, banning false or distorted information about candidates. The rules take effect in March 2027 following concerns over AI-generated content used in recent political contests.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission will convene the International Regulatory Conference 2026 on July 21–22 at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, drawing global regulators and experts to discuss digital economy challenges and regulatory frameworks.
Vietnam has initiated an ambitious 100-day action plan to eliminate systemic barriers slowing digital transformation across its government apparatus, with measurable deliverables required by end-November.
Malaysia's communications watchdog received 29 complaints about misleading content during the Johor state election campaign, with fake news and hate speech dominating violations reported to authorities.
Sibu Municipal Council will introduce a grace period and senior citizen parking pass for its smart parking system following widespread complaints about rapid penalty issuance and technical glitches since full implementation.
Malaysia's eCOSS mobile application has successfully curtailed subsidy leakages for one-kilogramme packets of cooking oil since launching in May 2024, with 5.26 million registered users and an average of 18 million packets purchased monthly.
Malaysia's Human Resources Ministry has eliminated case-by-case foreign worker approvals, moving all applications through the eQuota digital system. The shift follows a Cabinet decision to centralise foreign worker management under KESUMA.
Malaysia's Communications Ministry is assessing whether social media platforms licensed locally are meeting requirements under the Online Safety Act 2025, which took effect in June. The evaluation focuses on two key codes designed to protect children and reduce online harms.
India's Ministry of Information and Technology has instructed WhatsApp to suspend its planned username feature and explain within 72 hours why regulatory action should not proceed. The government warns the feature could enable fraud and impersonation.
A UNICEF study across 10 countries reveals children are adopting artificial intelligence at rates more than three times faster than adults, with at least 20 million already using AI systems. The findings highlight critical safety and governance gaps.
The Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association has thrown its weight behind the Cyber Crime Bill 2026, arguing swift enforcement powers are essential to combat escalating digital threats, while proposing robust checks to prevent government overreach.
Malaysia has taken down over 11,600 deepfake videos and images since 2024, with complaints skyrocketing eightfold to nearly 8,000 cases by mid-2025. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching outlined enforcement measures under the new Online Safety Act.
Pakatan Harapan candidate Dr Maszlee Malik for Puteri Wangsa promises a mobile application to streamline constituent complaints and identify vulnerable residents eligible for assistance in the upcoming Johor state election.
Australia is introducing legislation to strengthen its under-16 social media ban by empowering its internet regulator with expanded court powers to pursue non-compliant tech companies, marking a significant regulatory escalation.
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The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission will intensify surveillance of internet content throughout the Johor election campaign, focusing on compliance with electoral guidelines and preventing misinformation.
The Department of National Unity is creating a Community Tension Index to track social cohesion and address sensitive issues. The move addresses growing online divisiveness, with 1,493 pieces of problematic content removed in the past year.
A former information technology engineer in Besut has been fined RM18,000 after admitting to fraudulently using other people's identity cards to access the Budi95 subsidy scheme, a government assistance programme.
Melaka has rolled out a QR Tag system to monitor livestock and identify owners during incidents. The initiative aims to curb stray animal cases and improve enforcement across the state's livestock sector.
Malaysia is advancing legislation that would grant law enforcement sweeping powers to compel internet service providers to disclose communications data and traffic information during criminal investigations.
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The Malaysian Media Council will test a new rapid-response system to combat election misinformation during the Johor (July 11) and Negeri Sembilan (August 1) state polls, with media outlets verifying false content attributed to their brands.
A US appeals court has upheld Ohio's Social Media Parental Notification Act, which requires platforms like Instagram and TikTok to obtain parental consent before children under 16 access their services. The ruling reflects global momentum to protect minors online.