The Malaysian government plans to prohibit children under the age of 16 from registering for social media accounts starting next year, a measure intended to enhance online protection for minors. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced that all social media platforms will be expected to implement electronic know-your-customer (e-KYC) identity verification by 2026. 

This new age verification system will require users to authenticate their identity and age using official documents such as their MyKad, passports, or MyDigital ID. The move, which follows an October Cabinet discussion on raising the social media minimum age, is timed to coincide with the Online Safety Act, which is scheduled to take effect on January 1st. Fahmi noted the alignment of this policy with international practices, citing Australia's upcoming introduction of a social media age limit next month, and stated that Malaysia will study global approaches to find the most effective model.

Simultaneously, the Minister addressed the rollout of the Next Generation Malaysian Emergency Response Services 999 (NG MERS 999) system, which replaced the older MERS999 on November 16th. Fahmi revealed that a joint special committee is set to convene today to review and resolve technical, operational, and inter-agency coordination issues within the new integrated strategic digital platform. 

According to an ANN report, the committee's agenda includes examining the integration challenges with private ambulance services that are not currently registered with the Health Ministry, such as those under the well-known activist Uncle Kentang (Chee Heng Kuan).

A key focus of the committee's review will be the user-friendliness of the new SaveME999 app. This consolidated application merges the functions of the three previous emergency apps—SaveMEBlind, SaveMEDeaf, ad SaveMEPolice—to provide crucial digital location and emergency information. 

The Minister took the opportunity to clarify public misconceptions regarding the app’s cost, confirming that the development was not RM1.25 billion. Instead, he stated that the system costs approximately RM880,000 annually to manage, with the majority of this expenditure dedicated to data management, not initial development.

BOB Post