Cross-border Cooperation Key To Tackling Online Threats

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- Online threats require cross-border solutions backed by effective regulation, stronger parental digital literacy and greater platform accountability to build digital trust.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), in a statement, said the consensus was reached by participants at the Ministers-Regulators Roundtable Meeting (MRRM), held in conjunction with M360 ASEAN 2026 here yesterday.

It said participants also reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring children can benefit from digital opportunities while being protected from threats including cybercrime, cyberbullying and misuse of personal data.

The statement also quoted Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil as saying that the borderless nature of online harms demanded closer cooperation among regulators and jurisdictions worldwide.

“Online harms do not stop at national borders, and neither should our response. Through the MRRM, we want to learn from different regulatory experiences, identify effective practical approaches and strengthen cooperation to better protect children online,” he said.

Fahmi said the region’s diversity was a collective strength, but differences in legal and regulatory frameworks should not be allowed to create opportunities for exploitation.

“With stronger alignment on the principles of digital trust, age assurance and online safety, we will be better equipped to act collectively,” he said.

He also stressed that platform providers responsible for creating online spaces must be accountable for user safety, and that the governments and regulators need to identify more areas of common ground to develop better-coordinated regional action.

While regulatory approaches may differ between countries, he said all parties shared the same goal of creating a safe and trusted digital ecosystem.

“The MRRM discussions have strengthened the foundation for continued cooperation in addressing challenges that no country can tackle alone,” he said.

Organised by the Communications Ministry and MCMC, the MRRM brought together regional and international policymakers and regulators, including Australia’s eSafety Commissioner and UK communications regulator Ofcom, to share regulatory frameworks and best practices.

The meeting also built on Malaysia’s implementation of the Online Safety Act 2025 and commitments under the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms for ASEAN.

The MRRM provided a platform for participants to exchange regulatory experiences and practical approaches to tackling online harms, particularly protecting children in an increasingly borderless digital environment, strengthening platform accountability and enhancing cross-jurisdictional cooperation.

 “Moving forward, the MRRM will continue to provide a platform for policymakers and regulators to exchange experiences, discuss emerging issues related to online safety and digital trust, and explore areas of practical cooperation at regional and international levels,” MCMC said.

M360 ASEAN 2026, organised by GSMA on Sept 9 and 10, brings together ministers, regulators and industry leaders to discuss digital trust, artificial intelligence, resilient infrastructure and regional digital integration.

Held for the first time in ASEAN and Malaysia, the event is supported by the Communications Ministry, with MCMC as a co-host.

-- BERNAMA