PUTRAJAYA: Social media platform Facebook is estimated to have generated between US$15bil to US$20bil (RM63.7bil-RM84.9bil) in online advertising revenue in the Asean region in 2024, says Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
The Communications Minister said in Malaysia alone, Facebook generated an estimated RM2.5bil.
He said the overall figure included advertisements suspected of promoting scams and online gambling to about 670 million users of the platform in the Asean region.
"This is the problem we face – many of the ads they display are scams promoting fake investments or so-called magical products on sale at very low prices – there's no control.
"Just a few weeks ago, my team identified drug and vape (e-cigarette) sales activities within Facebook groups," he said during the ministry's monthly assembly on Thursday (June 12).
Fahmi said that to date, Facebook had yet to cooperate with the government's social media platform licensing initiative enforced earlier in 2025.
"They (Facebook) still refuse to be licensed under the licensing system we announced. They are unwilling to cooperate in several areas," he said.
On Jan 1, the government officially enforced licensing under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, aimed at enhancing online safety, protecting users and strengthening regulatory oversight of Internet messaging service providers and social media platforms.
The government's efforts did not stop there, as Parliament passed the Online Safety Act 2024 in December, which will be enforced soon.
"With the enforcement of the Act, social media platforms like Facebook will be required to comply.
"Issues such as paedophile groups and child sexual abuse material must be eliminated from these platforms and those involved must be brought to justice," he said. – Bernama
