Kuala Lumpur, 11 September 2025 – The High Court has issued a prohibitory injunction against Telegram and two of its channels — Edisi Siasat and Edisi Khas — ordering them to stop sharing or publishing alleged harmful content that targets Malaysia’s royal institution and public bodies. The ruling comes as part of a civil suit filed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) earlier this year.
Presiding Judge Mahazan Mat Taib rejected MCMC’s bid for a mandatory injunction, which would have required Telegram to actively remove existing harmful content. Instead, the judge opted for a prohibitory injunction, reasoning that a mandatory order could force the platform into a role of self-censorship, potentially overstepping the bounds of legal enforcement.
MCMC counsel Datuk Sankara Nair, when contacted, confirmed the outcome and noted that another related hearing for an inter-partes injunction has been scheduled for 24 September before the same judge.
Background to the Case
The MCMC filed its lawsuit in May 2025, alleging that since February 2024, the two Telegram channels had spread hate speech, misinformation, and offensive content aimed at Malaysia’s royal institution, public officials, and key state bodies. The regulator argued that such actions not only violated provisions of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, but also undermined public trust, threatened social harmony, and risked sparking disorder.
The statement of claim further accused the channels of publishing false and misleading stories about officials, alongside engaging in harassment and bullying campaigns that included personal attacks. The alleged spread of disinformation was said to “cause public unrest, erode confidence in governance, and damage social unity.”
In June, the MCMC revealed that this marked the first time legal action had been taken against a major social media platform provider in Malaysia, especially as Telegram is recognised as a licensed service provider. The regulator said it had repeatedly sought cooperation from Telegram to remove the harmful content but was met with non-compliance. As a result, it secured a temporary court order in June to prevent further dissemination of the disputed content.
Implications for Digital Governance in Malaysia
The case is being closely watched as a test of how Malaysian law will be applied to global digital platforms. By granting a prohibitory injunction, the High Court has effectively barred the continuation of harmful content without mandating platform-wide censorship — striking a balance between freedom of expression and public interest protection.
The ruling also reinforces MCMC’s increasing assertiveness in tackling misinformation, hate speech, and online harassment, signalling to platform providers that Malaysia is prepared to use its legal framework to safeguard institutions and maintain public order.
With the next hearing set for later this month, observers say the case could set an important precedent on how Malaysian regulators engage with global platforms, particularly in defining the scope of responsibility for removing and preventing harmful content.
