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New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Tougher cybercrime laws needed to protect the elderly
LETTERS: Regular reports of elderly people falling victim to cyber crimes and losing their life savings call for urgent reforms to strengthen criminal laws and increase penalties for offenders. The timely reminder by federal police Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain to look into outdated laws must therefore be supported by all lawmakers and the public. He mentioned, in particular, the Common Gaming Houses Act, the Prevention of Crime Act and the Security Offences Act. We also need to enhance the Computer Crimes Act 1997 to address new forms of cybercrime such as ransomware attacks, phishing scams, and identity theft. We should align our laws with international frameworks, such as the Council of Europe's Budapest Convention, to facilitate cross-border cooperation in cybercrime investigations. How robust are our data privacy regulations? We should establish clear regulations on the collection, storage, and sharing of user data, ensuring that individuals have control over their personal information. We should develop new laws targeting digital fraud, such as investment scams and fraudulent online transactions, with stricter penalties for offenders. It is equally important to initiate public education campaigns on digital safety and cybersecurity, aiming to empower citizens to protect themselves against online threats. These proactive actions are essential for maintaining public safety and ensuring that Malaysia keeps pace with global standards in criminal justice. We can learn from several countries that have established robust frameworks and strategies. Among them are the United States, Singapore, Estonia, Japan and Germany. By studying their examples, we can adopt best practices that suit our needs, and foster a safer digital environment for our citizens and businesses.
New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia-led Asean cybersecurity strategy to be finalised by year-end
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Cybersecurity Collaboration Strategy 2026–2030, led by Malaysia, is expected to be finalised by the end of this year. The initiative is part of a regional effort to strengthen digital defence and resilience. National Cyber Security Agency (Nacsa) chief executive officer Dr Megat Zuhairy Megat Tajuddin said the draft strategy would be deliberated during a series of forums and workshops in July, held in conjunction with the Cyber Defence and Security Exhibition and Conference (Cydes) 2025. He said the discussions, involving representatives from all 10 Asean member states, would focus on a five-year action plan centred around three core pillars: information sharing, joint technology development, and human capital growth. "All 10 Asean countries have pledged their support for the development of the Asean Cybersecurity Collaboration Strategy 2026–2030, which represents a joint effort among the member states. We have received strong backing from across the region. "The strategy will focus not only on information sharing but also on technology development, talent cultivation, and the exchange of expertise to address emerging cybersecurity threats. "One of the biggest challenges is the growing threat of ransomware and the transition to post-quantum cryptography. These are not just national issues - they are global in scope, and Asean must be ready," he told reporters at the closing ceremony of Cyber Games 2025 here today. Megat Zuhairy said the Malaysia Cyber Security Strategy 2025–2030 would also be launched during the upcoming Cydes in July. He added that the strategy complements Malaysia's active participation in international cybersecurity frameworks, including its endorsement of the Budapest Convention. "Over the past two years, we have made significant strides in strengthening our cyber defence capabilities. "It began with the Cyber Security Act 2024, followed by the formulation of the Malaysia Cyber Security Strategy, which is set to be launched this July. "This includes various talent development initiatives and Malaysia's alignment with international frameworks such as the Budapest Convention," he said. He said this reflects Malaysia's leadership in driving regional cybersecurity initiatives and underscores its ambition to become a regional cybersecurity hub. "All of this demonstrates the government's strong commitment to ensuring national cybersecurity readiness, as well as our leadership in expertise, technological advancement, innovation and overall cyber resilience." He also highlighted Malaysia's pivotal role as lead coordinator of the Asean Regional Computer Emergency Response Team (Cert), which serves as a platform for intelligence sharing and coordinated responses to cyber incidents among Asean nations. "We are also collaborating with regional partners to develop homegrown cybersecurity products and solutions that leverage Asean's talent pool. It's not just about Malaysia, it's about building regional capabilities," he said. On talent development, he commended Malaysian participants in the Cydes-hosted Asean Cyber Games, where three Malaysians were part of the teams that secured first, second, and third places in the regional competition. "We believe cybersecurity is no longer a domain dominated solely by Western or more developed nations. Malaysia, too, has high-level expertise in this field. "This ensures that we are capable of defending ourselves, with cybersecurity driven by our own local talent and the people of Malaysia," he added.
Barnama
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Council Of Europe Official Applauds Malaysia's Cybersecurity Reforms
By Syed Iylia Hariz Al-Qadri Syed Izman KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's commitment and transparency in tackling cybercrime have drawn praise from the Head of the Cybercrime Division of the Council of Europe, Alexander Seger, who believes that the country is more prepared than it gives itself credit for. Speaking to Bernama at the Cyber Games 2025 hosted here, Seger commended Malaysia's proactive stance in strengthening its cybersecurity framework through legal reforms, including the adoption of the Cyber Security Act and ongoing public consultations on the Cybercrime Bill. 'What I have seen in recent years is a tremendous determination by the Malaysian authorities to get their act together. 'I appreciate the openness of the authorities here. Not every government is willing to discuss draft legislation in such detail. That transparency is commendable,' he said. Seger, who has worked in cybercrime policy for over two decades, said Malaysia has both the technical expertise and institutional capacity to engage more actively on the international stage, particularly in multilateral treaties such as the Budapest Convention. 'For years, Malaysian authorities said they were unsure if they could join the Budapest Convention because they lacked the capabilities, but I think Malaysia is in quite a good situation compared to many other countries. They have better skills and more specialised institutions than they acknowledge,' he said. The Budapest Convention, also known as the Convention on Cybercrime, was opened for signature in 2001 and remains the only binding international treaty dedicated to addressing cybercrime. While acknowledging the ever-evolving nature of cyber threats, Seger noted that global cooperation, legal reforms and increasing public awareness have contributed significantly to reducing their impact.
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia on cyber alert: Ransomware cases soar 78pct in Q4 2024
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia recorded a sharp 78 per cent surge in ransomware cases in the fourth quarter of 2024, raising serious concerns over the nation's cyber preparedness. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the increase reflected the urgent need for more robust and coordinated efforts, both domestically and internationally, to combat cybercrime. "Cyber threats today are no longer mere technical disruptions. They are sophisticated, borderless, and profoundly destabilising. "Ransomware, data breaches, and cyber-enabled fraud are escalating rapidly in both scale and complexity. "Data from CyberSecurity Malaysia reveals that ransomware incidents rose by 78 per cent in Q4 2024 compared to the previous quarter — a deeply concerning trend," he said during the launch of Cyber Games 2025. His speech was read out by Digital Ministry secretary-general Fabian Bigar during the launch of Cyber Games 2025. Gobind also said that as Malaysia chairs the AseanSummit this year, cybersecurity and cybercrime have been placed at the forefront of the regional agenda. He said Malaysia was committed to driving policies and initiatives that strengthen Asean's cyber ecosystem and foster trust in digital environments across member states. "Malaysia is proud to play a pivotal role at this critical juncture. Hosting Cyber Games 2025 further highlights our leadership in this field. "This strategic gathering of global cybercrime investigators and digital forensics experts is a timely and powerful demonstration of our unwavering commitment to regional and international security," he said. Meanwhile, National Cyber Security Agency (Nacsa) chief executive officer Dr Megat Zuhairy Megat Tajuddin said the rise in ransomware cases had yet to reach a critical level, as it mirrored global trends. "This increase is not yet at a critical stage, as it is consistent with regional developments. "However, in terms of readiness, we cannot afford to operate in isolation. Close cooperation with our Asean neighbours and the wider international community is essential," he said. Megat Zuhairy said that ransomware remained a highly profitable crime, making it a persistent threat that required comprehensive policy and technical responses. "So long as ransomware remains financially lucrative, cybercriminals will remain emboldened. "That is precisely why strong regional and global cooperation is indispensable," he said. He also highlighted the importance of platforms such as the Budapest Convention, which provides 24/7 cross-border communication channels between enforcement agencies, as key in tackling evolving cyber threats. "Cyber Games 2025, developed in collaboration with the Council of Europe and Interpol, is a clear example of how international partnerships can enhance our capacity to combat sophisticated cybercrime," he added. Cyber Games 2025 — a regional cyber defence exercise scheduled from May 20 to 23 — brings together over 120 cybercrime investigators and digital forensics specialists from 40 countries.
