Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil today revealed that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has been working around the clock since January to remove scam and gambling ads on Meta-owned social media platforms.
Meta operates Facebook, Instagram, Threads and WhatsApp.
Fahmi said each report to Meta takes 30–45 minutes to lodge, with total man-hours spent by MCMC staff amounting to 22.2 years between January and Oct 15, 2025.
“We should send Meta a bill for all the work we’re doing on their behalf,” he quipped during his weekly press conference.
He was responding to a Reuters report which revealed that Meta internally projected earning 10% of its 2024 revenue, or US$16 billion, from scam and banned-goods ads, based on internal company documents.
Fahmi said his ministry will conduct a full review.
“If the reports are true, this is alarming, as it suggests Meta is profiting from activities that breach Malaysian laws,” he said.
He noted that Meta generated around RM2.5 billion in ad revenue from Malaysia in 2023.
“If Reuters’ figure is accurate, over RM250 million of that came from scam and gambling-related ads,” he added.
Although Meta has denied the allegations, Fahmi said the report will serve as grounds for the government to summon Meta for a full explanation.
