Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) was recently targeted by a cyberattack, with hackers demanding a US$10 million (~RM45 million) ransom, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed. Speaking at the 218th Police Day celebration, he stated the attack occurred within the past one or two days and that the government had firmly rejected the demand.
“We discussed the gravity of the cyberattack on MAHB and how to resolve it, including the hackers’ demand for millions of dollars,” Anwar said. “I didn’t hesitate before saying no.”
The prime minister emphasised that national security could not be ensured if the leadership conceded to such ultimatums. According to Malaysiakini, affected systems included the flight details display system, check-in counter system, and passenger baggage handling system. The disruption reportedly lasted 10 hours, though MAHB has yet to acknowledge the attack.
Anwar stressed that this incident highlights the importance of reinforcing Malaysia’s cybersecurity systems. He noted that additional resources should be allocated to the police and Bank Negara Malaysia to enhance national defences against future cyber threats.
(Source: The Star)
