PETALING JAYA: A study will be conducted to identify if any amendments to additional laws are needed to tackle online crime comprehensively, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) said a joint meeting between stakeholders including Bank Negara Malaysia, police and the National Anti-Financial Crime Centre (NFCC) had been chaired by her.
“The meeting was aimed at identifying the challenges and the laws available to the ministries and agencies relating to the threat of online crimes and to identify comprehensive legal steps that can combat such crimes.
“The unity government, through the Legal Affairs Division and the NFCC, will conduct a complete study, including comparative studies and public consultations, with the cooperation of local academics in order to reach a clear policy decision on the amendments (of current laws) and tabling of new ones regarding procedures and powers to combat online crimes comprehensively,” she said.
The study would be conducted in the next three months, starting in January 2024, she said yesterday.
Azalina said as at Nov 30, the reported losses in online crimes had reached more than RM177mil.
Of these, a total of 8,213 reports had been lodged to the authorities and respective agencies and a further 529 bank accounts had also been frozen, holding a combined value of nearly RM66mil.
