MCMC publishes probe report on prepaid sim registration

 

MCMC has published a public inquiry report on the commission's proposed Determination of Mandatory Standards for the Registration of Prepaid Public Cellular Service Users (mandatory standards), in accordance with Section 65 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA 1998).

MCMC said the report summarises all the feedback received and outlines MCMC's final assessment and policy stance on the proposed mandatory standards.

“The publication reaffirms MCMC’s commitment to the development of a transparent and consultative regulatory framework.

“Subsequently, MCMC will issue and register the mandatory standards as commission determinations in accordance with Sections 55 and 104(4) of the CMA, together with a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs), by the end of February 2026,” MCMC said in a statement today.

MCMC said the report was the result of a public inquiry conducted under Sections 55 and 61 of the CMA, following the publication of the public inquiry paper on Oct 14 2025.

Weaknesses in current system

According to the statement, the minimum 45-day investigation period ended on Nov 28, 2025, with MCMC receiving 15 submissions consisting of 10 service providers and five from the public.

MCMC explained that the weaknesses of the current prepaid registration system allow document forgery and identity theft, thus posing risks to consumer security, national security, and the integrity of digital services.

“The existing regulatory framework needs to be strengthened to address inconsistent registration practices and the existence of pre-activated sim cards and fake registrations in the market,” MCMC said.

The feedback received showed widespread support from the industry and the public on the need to tighten the prepaid registration process to protect consumers and strengthen confidence in digital services, it said.

According to MCMC, the proposed mandatory standard introduces a stricter regulatory framework, including a secure automated registration platform, biometric authentication, and clear responsibilities for service providers and distributors.

“One of the key improvements is the integration of MyDigital ID as a verification mechanism for individuals who have digital identities, supporting the government’s national digital identity initiative and enhancing the integrity of the self-registration process,” it said.

- Bernama