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by AKMAR ANNUAR
MALAYSIA will table a new Cyber Crime Bill in October as part of ongoing efforts to modernise its legal framework for digital security and strengthen national resilience against rising cyber threats.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the upcoming legislation will replace outdated laws and equip enforcement agencies with the tools needed to address emerging threats in the digital ecosystem.
“The Cyber Security Act 2024 has already empowered the National Cyber Security Agency (Nacsa) to coordinate cross-sectoral efforts and oversee compliance, especially in protecting National Critical Information Infrastructures (NCIIs),” he said at the ASEAN 5GOT Security Summit 2025 in Kuala Lumpur (KL) today.
The new bill, he said, will complement these efforts and enable more effective action against sophisticated cyber attacks.
The Cyber Crime Bill, once tabled, is expected to be a cornerstone of Malaysia’s evolving legal and strategic architecture to safeguard digital transactions and infrastructure, paving the way for a safer, more trusted digital future.
Malaysia recorded over 6,000 cyber incidents in 2024, including fraud, intrusions and malware attacks, with financial losses exceeding RM1.22 billion, according to CyberSecurity Malaysia.
Many of these threats have also begun to target operational technology (OT) systems, which manage vital sectors such as healthcare, energy and water treatment.
Gobind said the new bill would be instrumental in plugging existing gaps and addressing the complexities of cyber crime that transcend traditional jurisdictions.
“The consequences go beyond financial losses. They damage reputations, compromise privacy and in some cases, endanger lives,” he said.
He also highlighted Malaysia’s growing commitment to international cooperation, including its recent accession to the Budapest Convention on Cyber Crime and preparations to sign the United Nations (UN) Convention against Cyber Crime in Hanoi, Vietnam, later this year.
As part of a broader digital trust strategy, Gobind said Malaysia aims to establish a comprehensive framework based on three pillars: Governance, infrastructure and education.
“Digital trust is the cornerstone of a modern digital society. For transformation to succeed, we must ensure that people trust the systems they use every day,” he added.
The 5GOT Security Summit, which runs until July 17 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), has gathered 32 cyber security experts from 14 countries, with sessions focusing on frameworks for 5G and OT protection, cross-border cooperation and talent development.
According to Gobind, a recent Digital Trust Strategy Meeting also highlighted the need for legislation to keep pace with rapid digitalisation.
Discussions included data-sharing laws, agency-specific security roles and strategic frameworks to address risks at all levels.
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