The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) issued 50 compounds totalling RM2.29 million to telecommunications companies (telcos) for false registration of prepaid SIM cards from January to December this year.

MCMC Network Security, Enforcement and Advocacy chief Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin said the amount of compounds issued was an increase of 89 percent compared to the corresponding period last year.

"The compounds were issued in March, September and early this month (December)," he said in a statement today.

Zulkarnain said, in March and September, the commission had issued 25 compounds amounting to RM1.11 million while the rest were issued early this month.

"MCMC is taking this seriously and will take stern action against those involved in false prepaid SIM card registration because it involves safety issue," he added.

Zulkarnain noted the introduction of prepaid registration since 2006 was to ensure users' safety and protection, but the investigation into criminal cases often deadlocked when the user information of prepaid accounts being used by criminals was inaccurate.

Therefore, he urged all telcos to be more adamant towards their agents in compliance with the operational guidelines to ensure national security and consumers' interest.

This month, the commission had issued seven summonses totalling RM350,000 to Tune Talk Sdn Bhd; Digi Telecommunications (six summonses totalling RM300,000); Celcom Mobile Sdn Bhd (three, RM130,000); and Celcom Axiata Berhad, Maxis Mobile Services Sdn Bhd and XOX Com Sdn Bhd (two, RM100,0000 respectively).

While Merchantrade Asia Sdn Bhd (one, RM50,000), Ceres Telekom Sdn Bhd (one, RM30,000) and Altel Communications (one, RM20,000).

- Bernama