
Gobind: Malaysia must act now to plug cybersecurity gaps
He said the world is becoming increasingly interconnected, with daily life now deeply tied to digital platforms such as communication, shopping, and accessing public services.
He added that for digital transformation to truly flourish, trust is a fundamental element that cannot be overlooked.
"Digital trust is the unwavering confidence we place in our digital systems, technologies, and transactions," he said in his speech at the Asean 5G and OT Security Summit (5GOT) 2025 here today.
"We believe they are secure, private, and reliable. It is the invisible yet powerful force that underpins our digital interactions. However, many have taken our systems, technologies, and transactions for granted."
Gobind said society's growing reliance on conducting transactions online has encouraged bad actors to exploit this digital presence.
He highlighted an alarming surge in cyberattacks affecting all layers of society, from individuals to organisations, across sectors and sizes.
"We read and hear about Malaysians falling victim to online scams, fake investment schemes, and phishing attacks.
"According to CyberSecurity Malaysia, there were more than 6,000 reported cyber incidents in 2024, mainly involving fraud, intrusions, and malicious codes.
"Malaysia incurred over RM1.22 billion in financial losses due to cybercrime over the past year.
"But such incidents are not unique to Malaysia. The world faces this massive threat as well, resulting in trillions of dollars in losses annually," he said.
Gobind also said the consequences of cyberattacks go far beyond financial losses, as they damage reputations, compromise privacy, destroy property, eliminate opportunities, and in some cases, even endanger lives.
He added that attacks on operational technology, which powers automation in factories, manages patient care in hospitals, and runs critical infrastructure such as energy grids and water treatment facilities, are increasingly being targeted by sophisticated threat actors.
Nevertheless, Gobind said Malaysia has taken decisive steps to strengthen its cybersecurity landscape over the past years.
He highlighted that the Cyber Security Act 2024, which came into force on Aug 26 last year, empowers the National Cyber Security Agency to oversee compliance, coordinate across sectors, and protect the country's National Critical Information Infrastructures.
He also said a new Cybercrime Bill, set to be tabled in Parliament this October, aims to replace outdated legislation and equip authorities with the tools needed to combat modern cyber threats effectively.
Furthermore, Gobind said Malaysia is expanding its global footprint, noting that the Cabinet has approved accession to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime.
"The country is also preparing to sign the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi this October.
"These actions reflect Malaysia's commitment to international norms and collaborative efforts in addressing cybercrime.
"As such, platforms such as 5GOT must be leveraged to accelerate progress through expert engagement, knowledge sharing, collaboration, and exposure to emerging technologies," he said.
Gobind also said the government aims to build a regional cyber ecosystem through public-private partnerships that foster innovation and talent development.
He added that the government hopes to raise awareness and a sense of urgency among key stakeholders in securing the country's digital future.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
![[UPDATED] Rally ends peacefully with no arrests, says IGP](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FDATUK_SERI_MOHD_KHALID_ISMAIL_260725n01-1_1753535111.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] Rally ends peacefully with no arrests, says IGP](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75)
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Rally ends peacefully with no arrests, says IGP
KUALA LUMPUR: No arrests were made during the rally here today, a sign of the protest's peaceful nature and the police's professional handling of the event, said Malaysia's top cop. Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail confirmed that the rally, which drew an estimated 18,000 participants, concluded without incident across several key areas in the city. "These areas included Masjid Negara, Kompleks Sogo, Masjid Jamek, Pasar Seni, and Dataran Merdeka. "Despite the large turnout, the entire assembly remained calm and orderly. "No arrests were made throughout the event," he said in a statement today. He said police deployed 3,000 personnel from the Kuala Lumpur police contingent and federal police to monitor security, manage traffic, and facilitate the rally without disrupting public order. "Participants began gathering as early as 10.30am before marching towards Dataran Merdeka by 2pm, where speeches were delivered by several political leaders and non-governmental organisation representatives." Khalid said all enforcement efforts were carried out professionally and ethically, reflecting the police's commitment to a balanced approach in safeguarding both security and democratic freedoms. "Our responsibility is to ensure public safety while allowing space for democratic expression. "Today's peaceful outcome shows that this can be achieved with mutual respect and discipline," he said. He also reaffirmed the police's commitment to upholding the rule of law while ensuring the rights and safety of all Malaysians remain protected.

Barnama
3 hours ago
- Barnama
Rally Ends Peacefully Without Incident
KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 (Bernama) -- The rally at Dataran Merdeka today concluded peacefully without any untoward incident with about 18,000 individuals attending. Acting Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad said they were grateful for the good cooperation shown by participants, who did not create any problems throughout the rally. 'Everything went smoothly, even though there were one or two things that might not have been agreed upon initially, but were resolved well,' he told reporters after the rally ended this evening. He also advised the organisers to be more transparent in sharing information with the authorities in the future to ease security and logistic controls. 'Malaysians have the right to gather, and to gather peacefully. In terms of safety, that's the most important. Sometimes if we don't allow an event, it usually is due to a safety issue, as that is a responsibility of the police,' he said, adding that 3,000 police officers and personnel were mobilised to ensure safety throughout the duration of the rally. Mohamed Usof also said the police would study the speeches delivered by several leaders at the rally, especially if there were elements touching on 3R (religion, race, royalty) or seditious in nature. 'The right to gather peacefully is there, but we are still bound by existing laws. If there are violations, action will be taken according to legal provisions,' he said, adding that there were over 60 reports lodged regarding the rally, mostly by those who disagreed with it being organised. An internal postmortem to access aspects that could be improved would also be conducted, Mohamed Usof said. -- BERNAMA


The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
MyDigital ID rollout must prioritise trust over compulsion, says think tank
PETALING JAYA: The government must prioritise public trust and voluntary participation over compulsion in implementing the MyDigital ID platform, says a policy think tank amid growing national debate on the digital identity system. Social and Economic Research Initiative (Seri) chairman Dr Helmy Haja Mydin said while MyDigital ID can be transformative for service delivery and governance, rushing into legislation to mandate adoption could backfire before gaining public confidence. "We must never lose sight of the fact that the rakyat's trust is earned, not assumed. Digital identity systems can bring enormous benefits, but only if people believe they are safe, effective, and in their interest. "Compulsion before confidence risks undermining the very system we are trying to build," he said in a statement on Saturday (July 26). Helmy Haja's comments came after the Dewan Rakyat was informed that the government is considering new legislation to accelerate MyDigital ID uptake. Currently, only 2.8 million Malaysians are registered, which is modest relative to the population. He added that other countries have achieved high adoption without legal mandates, largely by offering clear, everyday benefits through user-friendly platforms. Helmy Haja cited India's Aadhaar system, which gained traction because key government services and financial aid were channelled through it, not because it was mandatory. He added that Estonia and Singapore show that with thoughtful implementation, digital ID systems can flourish without mandates, by making them secure, convenient, and visibly beneficial. "Let the rakyat see how MyDigital ID simplifies life, whether it is for accessing subsidies, paying taxes, or interacting with banks. "When digital identity is seen as helpful, people will come on board without being forced," he said. Helmy Haja suggested that to build trust, the platform's purpose must be better communicated, as many Malaysians still do not fully understand how MyDigital ID works or what it offers. He noted that although MyDigital ID has begun integration with certain platforms like MyJPJ and MyBorderPass, broader usage across the digital government ecosystem remains patchy. "For real momentum, MyDigital ID must become a seamless key to unlocking public services, whether it is applying for university admission, accessing financial assistance, or filing taxes," he added. Helmy Haja also said that poor execution could severely damage public trust. He cited the Padu (Pangkalan Data Utama) platform as a cautionary tale, noting that issues with data accuracy, system usability, and inter-agency coordination had hurt its credibility despite high initial expectations. "Every failed or rushed rollout comes at a cost, not just in terms of wasted resources, but in eroding the very trust we need for future reforms to succeed," he said. Helmy Haja added the Home Ministry, which already issues MyKad, could be empowered to oversee MyDigital ID given its central role in identity governance that could help improve security, coordination, and user confidence. He said as Malaysia moves towards a digital-first government, Seri stressed that the goal should not be mass enrolment "at all costs" but rather the creation of a system that people choose to use. Helmy Haja outlined seven key recommendations; avoid premature legislation mandating registration, invest in public awareness and education on the benefits and safeguards of MyDigital ID, ensure system reliability and resilience, integrate meaningful services such as healthcare, education, taxes, and financial aid, enhance inter-ministerial system interoperability, provide opt-outs for non-essential services, and collaborate with civil society and grassroots networks to improve digital literacy and inclusion. He added Malaysia has the opportunity to become a leader in responsible digital governance but reminded that it must be done with care.