Malaysia mulls Sugarbook app ban as more students turn to 'sugar daddies' for easy money

KOTA BARU — The Malaysian government is considering banning the Sugarbook app to prevent youth from getting involved in immoral activities.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said stern action should be taken against those registered with the platform as well as individuals who handle the Sugarbook app.

He said higher learning students in the country are allegedly using the Sugarbook app to make money to pay for their tuition fees, and this is worrying the government.

"The matter is under the government's consideration now… we are really upset over this.

"The government will take stern action against those involved and we must find ways to stop the use of this app in the country," he said.

The Pengkalan Chepa MP said this to reporters after presenting food donations to 80 taxi drivers using a drive-through concept on Sunday (Feb 14).

Ahmad Marzuk said relevant enforcement agencies under the PM's Department could take action against app users.

"However, we will leave the matter to the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission and the Higher Learning Ministry for further action," he added.

It was reported in an English portal that the pandemic and Movement Control Order has caused more university students in Malaysia to turn to "sugar daddies" for easy money to cover their costs of living and tuition fees.

Sugarbook, the biggest "sugar daddy-sugar baby" dating service in Asia, reported a 40 per cent increase in students registering as "sugar babies" since January, saying it demonstrates the financial difficulties they are facing.

It also revealed that some 12,705 students from 10 institutions of higher learning in the Klang Valley, including two public universities, are currently registered with the platform.

According to Sugarbook, the top two categories of "sugar babies" are students and fresh graduates.

They are followed by entrepreneurs, nurses, teachers, lawyers, waitresses, personal assistants, make-up artists, freelance models and pharmacists. NEW STRAITS TIMES