THE Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has blocked Asia’s largest sugar daddy dating platform, Sugarbook.

Checks showed that the site can no longer be accessed, with a MCMC note stating that the site contravened Section 223 of the MCMC Act.

Recently in a statement, Sugarbook revealed a 40% spike in sign-ups from Malaysian university students looking to pay off tuition fees, household and living expenses.

Sugarbook said this was a trend that came about during the Covid-19 pandemic and the strict lockdown associated standard operating procedure over the past few months.

It revealed that 3,105 Sugarbook members were from Sunway University, followed by 2,624 members studying at Inti International University and 1,696 at Taylor’s University.

In the sugar dating world, more financially able individuals often provide cash, gifts, or lifestyle funding support for their dependent counterparts, who are in turn expected to reciprocate with their time and affections.

Meanwhile, Minister of Higher Education Noraini Ahmad said that her ministry had met with MCMC today regarding the online dating platform.

Noraini, in a Facebook post, stated that both ministries had agreed to act against the website.

“The ministry with MCMC will provide awareness and understanding to students regarding social issues and cyber security,” said Noraini.

Yesterday, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Ahmad Marzuk Shaary urged the authorities to block Sugarbook.

“This is something very sad for us. The application should be prevented from being used in our country as it encourages people to do things that are not right and violate the laws, including shariah law,” he said.

National Students Consultative Council president, Muhammad Amir Asyraf Mohd Sabri told Bernama that statistics showed 12,705 tertiary institution students were registered with Sugarbook.

He also said that based on records, there has been an increase of more than 40% in the registration of new users of the application due to financial pressures arising from Covid-19. – February 15, 2021.