Cybercrime to be tackled with review of Act, says Teo

KULAI: The Communications and Multimedia Act will be reviewed to better address cybercrime and social media challenges, says Teo Nie Ching.

The Deputy Communications and Digital Minister said the ministry is currently studying the Act and would present the results in Parliament.

“We hope to present the findings in the Parliament sitting at the end of this year or by early next year.

“The Act was enacted in 1998 and we feel the time has come for us to review it to make sure that the existing provisions are sufficient to tackle the cybercrimes we have today.

“This is among efforts by the ministry, and we will also have engagements with stakeholders on this matter,” she said.

She added that the ministry will also refer to similar laws in other countries such as Singapore.

Speaking to the media before watching a patriotic movie with locals at a cinema here yesterday, Teo said the ministry also hoped to ensure that social media platform providers would be made to be more accountable under the Act.

“These service providers cannot say they are merely providing a platform (for the public),” she said.

“That is not the right approach and we want them to be more responsible.”

On Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain’s suggestion to review the laws related to cybercrime, Teo said the ministry is prepared to work with the Home Ministry on the matter.

“The review comes under the Home Ministry but if they need us to give our views, we are prepared to do so,” she said.