News & Reviews:   Influencers

It was only at the end of 2025 that we reported "Finfluencers” without a proper license would be penalised. But today, the Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri Malaysia (LHDN) has introduced new tax guidelines that require social media and digital influencers to declare all forms of income. Here's what influencers and KOLs (key opinion leaders) should know.

Malaysia is tightening the reins on financial influencers — or “finfluencers” — who dispense investment advice on social media without proper licensing. A newly revised guideline from the Securities Commission (SC) now treats them as voluntary advertisers under the law.

Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) has announced that it has appointed 3 social media influencers to help promote the use of proper language among the public. Dubbed as “language icons”, among the influencers include Dr. Malar Santhi Santherasegapan, a doctor serving in the Emergency Department at Columbia Asia Hospital in Cheras, Selangor, with a sizeable following on social media.

Through the guideline update, the SC reminds influencers, especially those focused on finance, to have relevant approvals to promote capital market products on social media. This is because promoting capital market products requires a license from the SC in certain circumstances, especially those that lead to trading activities.