KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has welcomed the passage of the Cyber Crime Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat today, describing it as a significant step towards enhancing Malaysia’s ability to combat increasingly sophisticated and cross-border cyber threats.
He said the Bill, which will repeal the Computer Crimes Act 1997 (Act 563), reflects the MADANI Government’s commitment to creating a safer, more resilient, and trustworthy cyberspace to safeguard the interests of the people and the nation.
According to Zahid, the parliamentary debate on the Bill, which involved 48 Members of Parliament, covered a wide range of key issues, including the protection of fundamental rights, privacy, checks and balances, freedom of speech, the use of artificial intelligence (AI), deepfake threats, the protection of vulnerable groups such as women, children, and senior citizens, as well as enforcement measures, penalties, cyber literacy, and the implementation of MyDigital ID.
“The passage of this Bill demonstrates the Government’s determination to ensure that Malaysia’s legal framework remains relevant in addressing technological advancements and the increasingly sophisticated cyber threat landscape,” he said.
Zahid also stressed that the new legislation will complement the country’s existing legal framework while aligning Malaysia with its obligations under the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention) and the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime.
He also expressed his appreciation to all Members of Parliament who supported the Bill’s passage, as well as to the ministries, government agencies, professional bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and political leaders who contributed to the drafting and development of the legislation.
He said the close cooperation among all stakeholders reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that Malaysia builds a secure, resilient, and trusted digital ecosystem capable of meeting future cybersecurity challenges.
— MINUTESMY
