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The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) crippled online child sexual exploitation networks through four large-scale operations
These operations included Ops Pedo 1.0, Ops Cyber Guardian 2025, Ops Pedo 2.0, and more recently Ops Cyber Guardian 2026.
According to Harian Metro, the latest operation was a joint effort between Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan, to combat online child sexual abuse and exploitation crimes.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail said crimes involving child exploitation are becoming increasingly serious and widespread.
"The operation was carried out within a mutually agreed period by all participating countries, beginning from 23 March until 17 April," he said.
Throughout all operations, police arrested 117 suspects and seized more than 246 items, including smartphones and digital storage devices
Authorities reportedly uncovered more than 1,473,690 digital files, with more than 244,934 of them identified as child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
After the recent Ops Cyber Guardian 2026, Mohd Khalid revealed that these activities were no longer isolated crimes carried out by individuals, but had evolved into organised operations driven by profit.
"Some suspects acted as group administrators by offering paid access to the materials, indicating the existence of commercial elements within these crimes," he said.
The police are now investigating the extent to which those detained were connected as part of a larger organised syndicate.
A total of more than 103 investigation papers have been opened under several laws
This includes the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, the Penal Code, the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and the National Registration Regulations 1990.
PDRM also stressed that strict action would continue to be taken against anyone exploiting children online.
PDRM's findings from these operations are adding weight to ongoing discussions around banning social media access for users under 16
Under the proposed subsidiary laws under the Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) would enforce a minimum age requirement barring individuals under 16 from accessing social media platforms.
The move is part of wider efforts to strengthen online safety for minors amid growing concerns over exploitation, grooming, and harmful digital content.
