‘Show IC when buying prepaid SIM’

CYBERJAYA: Telecommunication companies (telcos) which allow their agents to sell prepaid SIM cards without asking for buyers’ identification cards will face action.

Deputy Minister of Communications and Multimedia Datuk Jailani Johari said as companies licensed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), all telcos must comply with the terms and standard operating procedures (SOP).

He said they are required to get a copy of a purchaser’s identity card before a transaction is carried out.

“If a dealer or agent of a telco is found to sell prepaid SIM cards without the purchaser furnishing his or her identity card, action will certainly be taken, not against the agent but the telco concerned,” he said when commenting on the allegation that there were syndicates operating the business to make “easy money”.

Speaking to reporters after participating in a 5km run in conjunction with the World Standards Day celebration here yesterday, Jailani said all telcos had been reminded on the matter and the effects of allowing their agents to breach the terms or SOP specified.

He said, no action has been taken against telcos for such offences, but the MCMC always monitored and analysed the sale of prepaid SIM cards by agents concerned.

He said if there were cases of a breach of conditions, errant telco companies will be compounded.

Fines range from a minimum of RM10,000 and can go up to a million ringgit. – Bernama