Malaysia's Fire and Rescue Department has expressed concern over a three-year rise in fraudulent emergency calls despite their relatively small proportion of total reports. Officials recorded 141 fake calls in 2023, 196 in 2024 and 211 through September 2025, while genuine emergency contacts numbered 129,114 in 2023, 118,481 in 2024 and 91,096 through September this year.
Authorities warn that bogus reports drain operational resources, delay response times and potentially endanger lives when rescue teams cannot reach actual emergencies. All communications to the 999 line undergo recording and assessment to identify illegitimate calls.
Malaysian law treats false emergency reporting as a criminal offense under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, with penalties reaching fines up to 50,000 ringgit, imprisonment for one year, or both punishments. The department emphasized that misusing emergency services compromises the national response system's effectiveness and places field personnel under unnecessary strain.
Authorities warn that bogus reports drain operational resources, delay response times and potentially endanger lives when rescue teams cannot reach actual emergencies. All communications to the 999 line undergo recording and assessment to identify illegitimate calls.
Malaysian law treats false emergency reporting as a criminal offense under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, with penalties reaching fines up to 50,000 ringgit, imprisonment for one year, or both punishments. The department emphasized that misusing emergency services compromises the national response system's effectiveness and places field personnel under unnecessary strain.
