Latest news with #SaifuddinNasutionIsmail
The Star
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Confronting digital threats
PETALING JAYA: The collection and real-time interception of digital evidence proposed by the Home Ministry are essential tools for probing serious crimes and threats, especially in cyberspace, say legal and cybersecurity experts. Computer science expert Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Tengku Sembok said that as the Home Ministry reviews the national cybercrime framework, the proposed expansion of enforcement powers, and the magnitude and complexity of today's cyber threats underscore the urgent need for modernised legal instruments. 'For Malaysia, aligning legal authority with these provisions would allow investigators to track sophisticated offenders more effectively,' he said when contacted yesterday. He was commenting on reports that Malaysia is set to sign the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime in October, according to Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. The Home Minister said on July 23 that the country is also in the process of joining the Budapest Convention, i.e. the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime. However, Tengku Mohd said that such powers must be carefully circumscribed as real-time collection should only be permitted with judicial oversight and only for defined serious offences. 'Procedural safeguards such as time-limited authorisations, audit logging and data minimisation must be included in the framework,' he said. Oversight mechanisms, he added, should include independent reviews, periodic public reporting and clearly defined accountability protocols. 'These controls are vital to ensure that public trust and civil liberties are maintained,' he said. Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president Siraj Jalil said the upcoming legislation should be more inclusive and have stronger enforcement powers to face various ever-evolving cyber threats. 'We hope the police will lead the enforcement efforts through a dedicated cybercrime department, given that cybercrime is among the most reported threats, according to various authorities. 'The most common threats the public is currently facing are online scams, fraud and phishing, with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated phishing links,' he said. He added that cybercrime isn't limited to financial scams, but is also evolving with the misuse of AI and sexual crimes against children. 'People may not even realise that they are victims of such a scam. 'For instance, if their photos are exploited for AI-generated content, that is also cybercrime. 'And there are many cases of those using pictures of VIPs to dupe victims,' he said, adding that the government should consider all of these situations. Malaysian Bar Legal Tech, AI and Sandbox committee co-chairperson Sathish Mavath Ramachandran said that of late, the Bar Council is frequently consulted by federal regulators and government ministries and agencies regarding law reform and legal issues. 'That includes amendments to existing laws and regulations, as well as formulation of new laws and regulations. 'This is a truly transformational development. 'Our suggestions and proposals are not always accepted, but that is to be expected. 'The regulators and our Federal Government must ultimately decide based on their processes, procedures, protocols and policies. 'The consultation over the past two and a half years has been meaningful, especially in the areas of cyber, technology, digital and personal data laws, including AI and cybercrimes,' he said. One of the key longstanding challenges in tackling cybercrime is its cross-border nature, said data protection practitioner Deepak Pillai. 'Cybercrime incidents often involve perpetrators or digital infrastructure that are located across multiple jurisdictions. 'This significantly limits the ability of local enforcement agencies to effectively investigate, gather evidence, recover affected assets or take further enforcement action. 'As such, it is a welcome development that the government is planning to join international frameworks such as the Budapest Convention and the UN Convention on Cybercrime,' he said.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
Ride it or lose it: Loke urges Kedah folks to ride Bas.My and keep RM78.5m service alive
ALOR SETAR, July 28 — The Ministry of Transport is calling on the public to make full use of the stage bus service introduced under the Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) programme, which is being rolled out in phases this year. Minister Anthony Loke said the government has allocated substantial funding to support this initiative, particularly in urban areas where the service is in operation. 'To convince the Finance Ministry to continue providing allocations to us, I need to show data and performance — that this service truly benefits the people. 'If the public doesn't use this service despite the affordable fares and convenience offered, we will struggle to justify further funding for its expansion,' Loke told reporters after launching the Kota Setar service today. Also present were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who is also the co-chairman of the Kedah State Development Action Council, and Kedah State Agriculture, Plantation and Transport Committee chairman Dzowahir Ab Ghani. Loke said that the federal government has allocated RM78.5 million over five years, or RM15.7 million annually, to operate 13 SBST routes in Kedah. The Kota Setar service, which began operations in stages on June 1, has recorded approximately 30,000 users monthly, with numbers expected to reach 40,000 by the end of this month. 'We hope more people will use it. The cost to the government is fixed at RM15.7 million a year for Kedah, regardless of how many passengers use the service. 'The more passengers we have, the lower the average cost per passenger, making the government's investment more worthwhile,' the minister remarked. On a separate note, Loke addressed the recent fatal accident involving a bus in Kota Sarang Semut, saying the matter is under police investigation. The ministry will assist with technical investigations, but whether the driver was negligent or will face charges is up to the police to determine, he said. 'Of course, all bus operators are required to adhere to strict safety regulations, including speed limits and mandatory driver training programmes,' he added. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Saifuddin challenges PN to suggest better policies
PH secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan next week will be the opposition's best chance to show their capability as an alternative bloc. PETALING JAYA : Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has challenged the opposition to propose better policies than those being implemented by the government, downplaying the Turun Anwar rally organised by PAS Youth yesterday. Saifuddin said the Madani government has taken several measures to alleviate the burden of the rising cost of living on the people, including increasing the amount of cash aid. Now, it is time for the opposition to show what alternative policies they have in mind, he said, according to Berita Harian. 'If you disagree with the government's policies, show us the welfare policies you have in mind,' he said. 'If you think the reduction of the price of RON95 petrol by six sen isn't enough, tell us how much you would reduce it by and through what mechanism; let the people compare. 'We have our policies and programmes, but they simply resort to insults and political sentiments. We reject such gutter politics.' Saifuddin said the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan next week would be the opposition's best chance to show their capability as an alternative bloc. 'The people want to know the ideas and policies they offer, not just shouting on the streets. So, showcase your policies in Parliament, let the people evaluate them,' he said. Saifuddin, the home minister, also criticised the Turun Anwar rally's organisers after some participants brought their children with them. He pointed out that this was not permitted under the Peaceful Assembly Act, and blamed PAS Youth for not giving rally-goers a clear reminder on this.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Security personnel praised for professionalism during KL rally
KULIM: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail praised security personnel for their professionalism during yesterday's opposition-led rally in Kuala Lumpur, which saw around 18,000 participants. He confirmed no complaints were lodged, reinforcing the government's commitment to peaceful assembly under the Federal Constitution. Speaking after the RELA anniversary event at Dataran Kulim, Saifuddin Nasution said the opposition must now decide whether to continue protests or focus on policy alternatives. 'They can rally weekly or propose better solutions for public evaluation,' he stated. – Bernama
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Home Ministry awaits report on officers in flying passport bribery case
KULIM: The Home Ministry is still awaiting a complete report on the investigation into enforcement officers suspected of aiding a 'flying passport' syndicate at Malaysia's border checkpoints. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that the ministry will receive the report from Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain. 'Let him (Shuhaily) handle it first... I believe we have placed the right person in the right position,' Saifuddin told reporters after officiating the 53rd anniversary celebration of the People's Volunteer Corps (RELA) at Dataran Kulim. READ ALSO: Johor officers remanded for flying passport bribery scheme The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) recently arrested four enforcement officers for allegedly accepting bribes of around RM3,000 to facilitate 'flying passport' activities at the Johor-Singapore border. Two were detained by AKPS' Compliance Unit during an inspection, while two others were arrested for suspected collusion. Meanwhile, Saifuddin urged RELA members to acquire new skills and improve training to broaden their functions. He highlighted the need for RELA to expand beyond traditional roles like traffic control and disaster response. 'This shift aims to elevate RELA's role to include responsibilities in sensitive areas such as border control. Of course, RELA will not act alone. Its purpose is to complement and support existing enforcement agencies,' he said. The ministry will also assess RELA's needs, particularly concerning personnel welfare. - Bernama
