According to Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, the government is in the process of drafting a new bill on cybercrime. The bill is part of the country’s ongoing efforts to combat online offences, as existing measures prove to be insufficient.
The main problem highlighted by the minister is the gap between current laws and the actual realities of cybercrime. This issue impedes the effectiveness of authorities in dealing against syndicates involved in these crimes. At the moment, the current legal provisions are thought to be outdated and too lenient.
Speaking during question time in the Dewan Rakyat, Shamsul Anuar explained that there is a lack of a comprehensive act that specifically addresses cross-border crimes. This causes many cases to be left unresolved. Aside from that, the existing punishments fail to effectively deter offenders due to their leniency.
In addition to these obstacles, the minister called attention to the limitations in technical expertise and manpower. Scammers continue to leverage new technologies like VPNs, spoofing, and encrypted communication platforms. As it stands, the digital forensic and cyber enforcement teams are ill-equipped to deal with such technologies. Existing infrastructure is also inadequate for detecting and responding to digital threats.
So far, the efforts to curb cybercrime involve amendments to existing laws like Act 574 of the Penal Code. Beyond that, Malaysia has also collaborated with neighbouring regions. Shamsul Anuar pointed out that local authorities have carried out four joint operations this year, including with Singapore, Indonesia, and China. He noted that these crimes are not confined within Malaysia, but have international links.
(Source: Bernama)
