Communications Ministry to engage e-commerce platforms on drug sales

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM) has been directed to engage with major e-commerce platforms to tackle the growing problem of drug sales conducted through their services, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced.

Fahmi said the instruction stems from directives issued by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, signalling heightened government concern over the use of online shopping platforms to facilitate illegal drug transactions.

The move represents an escalation in efforts to combat drug trafficking in the digital space, where authorities have identified a concerning trend of dealers leveraging e-commerce channels to reach customers while evading detection.

By engaging directly with platform operators, Malaysian authorities aim to establish clearer protocols for identifying and reporting suspicious transactions that may be linked to drug sales, as well as implementing stricter seller verification processes.

The directive underscores the government's commitment to addressing emerging forms of illicit drug distribution while recognizing the role that major online retailers must play in preventing their platforms from being exploited for criminal purposes.