No plans with AI law yet, guidelines currently in use
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang said there are no plans yet to draft laws addressing the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
However, he said, the National Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence Governance and Ethics (AIGE) are being utilised as a reference to regulate its use.
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New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
AI law needed to counter digital misuse
KUALA LUMPUR: A law on artificial intelligence (AI) is necessary to counter digital misuse, say cybersecurity experts. They said such laws, however, should ensure that humans remain the primary decision-makers, with the ability to step in, override decisions, or take control if an AI system makes a mistake. Universiti Malaya Department of Computer System and Technology professor, Prof Dr Ainuddin Wahid Abdul Wahab, said strong AI laws are also needed given the speed at which AI is developing and its growing integration into daily life. He said that without proper legislation, there is a significant risk of digital mishaps, abuse, and harm, including the proliferation of fake content such as images, videos, and documents, as well as cybersecurity threats. "AI helps a lot in daily tasks, but it can also be used by malicious actors to launch highly advanced cyberattacks, making traditional cybersecurity measures insufficient. "A compromised AI system itself could pose a major national security risk. "Another issue is how AI is trained. "There is a risk of biased data being used. "For example, if the training sample is not sufficiently balanced, an AI system used in hiring might unintentionally discriminate against certain demographic groups. "Similarly, an AI used in the judicial system might lead to harsher sentences for certain communities," he said when contacted. Earlier today, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said Malaysia needs an artificial intelligence law in light of emerging threats. She said she has written to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo on the need to look into AI legislation. Ainuddin said that when drafting the Bill, he proposed the inclusion of a dedicated body to monitor AI, comprising experts in AI and law, or agencies such as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and CyberSecurity Malaysia, to ensure compliance, investigate issues, and impose penalties on non-compliant companies. "Humans must remain the main actors. "For critical AI systems, there should always be a way for a human to step in, override decisions, or take control if the AI makes a mistake or if human judgment is necessary," he said. He said there should also be clear accountability in the event of an incident. "Who is responsible? Is it the company that created the AI tool, the company that uses it, or the end-user?" he said. Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Malaysia Cybersecurity Research Centre director Prof Dr Selvakumar Manickam said proactive legislation is essential to manage risks, prevent misuse, and build public trust in emerging technologies. He said that without a dedicated legal framework, Malaysia risks facing serious challenges from AI-driven threats such as deepfakes and algorithmic bias, which could leave citizens vulnerable and blur lines of accountability. "Legislation must mandate that security and privacy are engineered into AI systems and the data processes that build them, starting from the design phase. "These systems should only be deployed after meeting critical requirements for safety and transparency. "The law must strongly require human oversight as a non-negotiable component of any high-risk system, ensuring final decisions remain with humans and establishing clear lines of accountability enforced by a properly empowered regulator," he said.
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Three young Malaysian scientists to attend 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting in Germany
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will once again be represented on the international scientific stage, with the selection of three young scientists to attend the 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany, scheduled to take place from June 29 to July 4. The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, in a statement today, said this year's meeting will focus on the field of chemistry and is expected to bring together around 35 Nobel laureates and over 600 young scientists from 84 countries. Malaysia will be represented by Nur Diyan Mohd Ridzuan, 30, a PhD candidate in Applied Sciences (Chemistry) at Universiti Teknologi Petronas; Dr Ana Masara Ahmad Mokhtar, 34, a senior lecturer at the Bioprocess Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia; and Dr Mak Kit Kay, 33, a lecturer at the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, International Medical University (IMU). The ministry said the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, established in 1951, provide a globally recognised forum for exchange between Nobel laureates and young scientists. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, in the same statement, said the participation reflects the ability of local talents to compete internationally and is in line with with the ministry's commitment to nurturing future generations of scientists through long-term investment in talent development in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). "We believe that interaction with Nobel Prize winners will broaden the horizons of our young researchers and inspire more youth to pursue careers in science, technology and innovation," he said. Meanwhile, Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) president Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen Tengku Ibrahim said the young Malaysian scientists will have the opportunity to present their research and expertise at the meeting, opening the door to collaboration with scientists from world-class facilities. Since 2004, ASM, as the official nominating body, has identified and nominated promising scientists each year for consideration by the scientific review panel of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting. To date, a total of 89 Malaysian scientists have been selected to take part in the meeting. – Bernama
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Three young Malaysian scientists to attend 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will once again be represented on the international scientific stage, with the selection of three young scientists to attend the 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany, scheduled to take place from June 29 to July 4. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), in a statement today, said this year's meeting will focus on the field of chemistry and is expected to bring together around 35 Nobel laureates and over 600 young scientists from 84 countries. Malaysia will be represented by Nur Diyan Mohd Ridzuan, 30, a PhD candidate in Applied Sciences (Chemistry) at Universiti Teknologi Petronas; Dr Ana Masara Ahmad Mokhtar, 34, a senior lecturer at the Bioprocess Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia; and Dr Mak Kit Kay, 33, a lecturer at the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, International Medical University (IMU). According to the statement, the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, established in 1951, provide a globally recognised forum for exchange between Nobel laureates and young scientists. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, in the same statement, said the participation reflects the ability of local talents to compete internationally and is in line with MOSTI's commitment to nurturing future generations of scientists through long-term investment in talent development in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). 'We believe that interaction with Nobel Prize winners will broaden the horizons of our young researchers and inspire more youth to pursue careers in science, technology and innovation,' he said. Meanwhile, Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) president Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen Tengku Ibrahim said the young Malaysian scientists will have the opportunity to present their research and expertise at the meeting, opening the door to collaboration with scientists from world-class facilities. Since 2004, ASM – as the official nominating body – has identified and nominated promising scientists each year for consideration by the scientific review panel of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting. To date, a total of 89 Malaysian scientists have been selected to take part in the meeting.
