by NURUL NAJMIN ABU BAKAR
THE government is planning to review existing laws on driverless vehicle technology to ensure they remain aligned with the latest developments.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said legislation is crucial for Malaysia to implement any initiatives.
“When we look at new technologies, there is a possibility that these technologies will require us to reassess current laws,” he said during a panel discussion at 2025 Fortune ASEAN- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Economic Forum today.
As an example, he pointed to autonomous vehicles. In Malaysia, he said, if a vehicle is operating on public roads, it must be driven by a licensed driver. Therefore, any vehicle operating on public roads without a licensed driver is in violation of the law.
“However, based on new technology, within the next five years we will see a world where vehicles are operating without drivers on public roads.
“So, when we consider these new technologies, there is a need to assess and review the existing laws,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called for a redefinition of national sovereignty in light of the transformative impact of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing.
He said the traditional notion of sovereignty is no longer adequate to safeguard national interests in the digital age, particularly as technology continues to outpace regulatory frameworks.
“The concept of sovereignty needs to be revisited and repurposed to ensure national security,” he said during a panel discussion at the forum.
He added that governments must strike a balance between protecting sovereign interests and creating regulatory space for digital infrastructure and operations that may operate independently of national laws.
The forum focuses on global economic resilience and developing inclusive, sustainable policy frameworks. It followed the 46th ASEAN Summit which concluded yesterday, held under Malaysia’s chairmanship.
The two-day summit convened regional leaders to advance strategic cooperation and deepen economic integration across South-East Asia.
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