KUALA LUMPUR, February 27 — Malaysians are now limited to registering a maximum of five prepaid SIM cards per telecommunications provider under new rules introduced by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission(MCMC) to curb online scams and identity misuse.
The regulation, which takes effect today, applies to Malaysian citizens, permanent residents and temporary residents. Non-Malaysians, including workers, students, tourists, IMM13 holders and registered refugees, are capped at two prepaid SIM cards per telco.
Existing users who have already exceeded the limit prior to today will not be affected. The new framework, known as the Commission Determination on the Mandatory Standards for the Registration of End-Users of Prepaid Public Cellular Services (Determination No. 1 of 2026).
Requires all prepaid SIM users in Malaysia to register personally using original identification documents. Photocopies or scanned versions will not be accepted. Malaysians may self-register using MyDigital ID, while in-person registrations at telco service centres.
Or dealers will require biometric verification, including fingerprint authentication for MyKad holders and facial recognition for passport holders. Prepaid SIM cards cannot be activated before registration, and users are advised not to use any SIM card that is already active upon purchase.
Once registration is verified, activation status will be confirmed within 12 hours. MCMC said the stricter controls are designed to prevent identity abuse, unauthorised SIM usage and online fraud, while maintaining convenient access to mobile services.
The move follows growing concerns globally about the misuse of cheap, disposable phone numbers to bypass SMS verification systems and create fraudulent online accounts at minimal cost.
