The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is currently conducting a nationwide prepaid registration audit on dealers and agents of communication companies offering mobile cellular services.

In a statement today, MCMC said the purpose of the audit was to check on the accuracy and validity of the records of subscribers taken by dealers and agents at the point of registration.

"The audit is also to ensure that subscribers’ personal information are protected and not tampered with.

"The overall results of the audit will be used to strengthen and support the review of both the Guidelines on Registration of the End-Users of Prepaid Public Cellular Services and Dealers and Agents Code of Ethics, slated to be completed by end of 2016 and in 2017 respectively," it said.

The commission said both guidelines and Code of Ethics meant to protect mobile cellular subscribers in Malaysia where false registration by dealers and agents could be used for acts of crime, including fraud and terrorism.

It said the audit started recently for the northern region involving Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak with approximately 9,513 registered dealers.

In previous audit exercises, MCMC issued 50 compounds to amounting RM2.29 million in 2015, 29 compounds amounting to RM1.19 million in 2014, and 26 compounds amounting to RM1.02 million in 2013 for non-compliance of the registration guidelines, it said.

With the growth in mobile cellular penetration, MCMC said it would continue to ensure that service providers and their dealers comply to the regulations requiring the use of valid identification documents for user of mobile prepaid registration.

The audits for other regions in Malaysia were expected to be completed by the end of the year, it added.