KUALA LUMPUR (July 13): Malaysia has proposed amendments to its communication law to enable the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to undertake initiatives under the universal service provision (USP) for national security.
This proposed change to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 marks an expansion of the USP framework, which has historically been used to improve telecommunications access in underserved areas, most recently under Jendela.
“This additional category is to create a more comprehensive universal service provision framework, considering the evolution of the communications and multimedia industry, advancement of technology and the needs of the country from a security aspect,” the explanatory statement included in the Communications and Multimedia (Amendment) Bill 2026’s text, published on the Parliament portal on Monday, stated.
The Bill was tabled for first reading by Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.
Fahmi said the second reading is to take place in the current parliamentary meeting — which runs until this Thursday (July 16).
Under the changes, the communications minister may direct the MCMC to support universal service initiatives by encouraging the installation of network facilities and the provision of network or application services for the preservation of national security.
The determination of national security is to be made by the National Security Council.
It also includes a provision that any national universal service provision initiative remains consistent with the objectives of the Communications and Multimedia Act.
For more Parliament stories, click here.