Saifuddin said 920,217 of these lines had been terminated while 457,645 had been updated with valid information.

He said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) conducted data verification audits with the National Registration Department to check on the accuracy and validity of the records of subscribers.

“This is to prevent misuse by irresponsible parties for fraud and the like,” he said during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Mohamad Alamin (BN-Kimanis) had asked about the ministry’s initiative to prevent the public from becoming cyber fraud victims through the use of unauthentic applications and phone calls.

Saifuddin said the Police-MCMC Cyber Crime Committee had been empowered to take action in combating cybercrime, including fraud or scams.

“Cooperation and collaboration between the two parties, especially sharing of information and expertise, is vital in carrying out enforcement to address social media abuses more effectively,” he said.

At the same time, he said, the ministry, through the Information Department, had implemented a communication strategy through its official social media channels to ensure the people have access to authentic information on cyber fraud.

He said CyberSecurity Malaysia had also helped address cyber fraud through awareness programmes.

On the ministry’s action to tackle Macau scam activities, Saifuddin said the government had launched the Malaysia Cyber Security Strategy 2020-2024, with an allocation of RM1.8 billion, to increase the country’s cybersecurity readiness.