Wanita MCA urges MCMC to permanently shut down Sugarbook, alternate sites

PETALING JAYA: Wanita MCA urges the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to consider permanently shutting down Sugarbook, a "sugardaddy" dating platform, and all its alternate sites.

Chairman Datuk Heng Seai Kie said the Sugarbook platform, in any name, should be “permanently terminated to eliminate unhealthy social activities and even vice”.

Heng said although its founder was detained by the police on Feb 18, the operations of the platform have not really been affected.

“Its alternate web address is still accessible without additional steps to circumvent the MCMC ban.

“The public is left either dumbfounded or even worse, curious. How was this circumventing made possible?” she said in a statement Friday (Feb 19).

Heng also urged Malaysians to be on the lookout for one another and report to them if there were similar services offered on websites, or on social media sites such as Facebook, WeChat and others.

She said this was to ensure that the relevant law enforcement agencies can take countermeasures.

“It is a collective responsibility to remove such vices, ” she said.

She added that young people involved in "sugarbaby" activities should not be tempted by money nor betray their dignity.

“Any financial difficulties encountered or inability to pay tuition fees should be resolved through the appropriate channels. Female students and even working adults should hold self-respect for themselves, and not cheapen themselves for quick cash or vanity as they are only subjecting themselves to manipulation, even abuse in all forms and will regret it in future, ” she said.

Heng also urged parents and guardians to constantly monitor their children’s activities especially those online and pay attention to any changes in their children’s lifestyle, habits and moods.

On Monday (Feb 15), MCMC blocked access to the Sugarbook website for allegedly breaching the law on the use of network facilities or services.

However, it was learnt that the Sugarbook developer then set up an alternate site to enable users to access the blocked webpage.

Sugarbook matches “sugar daddies” to “sugar babies”, or older and generally more well-off men to young women in a largely financial arrangement.

MCMC had said it was monitoring and investigating Sugarbook, and would take action against its users and platform owners should they violate the law.

The Sugarbook founder has also been remanded for seven days beginning Feb 18.