KUALA LUMPUR: A supportive legislative framework is essential in building an ecosystem that can accommodate new and advanced technologies, says Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.
Apart from ensuring adequate technological infrastructure, Gobind said there is a need to review legislation that may pose challenges in implementing new technological solutions.
He said there is a unit in the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO) looking into such matters.
According to the minister, discussions on which laws may require amendments are already being held with various stakeholders.
“First of all, we need to look at technology, then ask ourselves if there are conflicts of law involved and how they can be dealt with.
“The NAIO has a unit to look into this. I am sure that in all industries, there will be such problems arising.
“We have to be prepared to face these problems and deal with them as and when necessary, so we can build an ecosystem not just in terms of infrastructure but also a ready legislative framework to move ahead,” he told reporters after speaking during the Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Economic Forum here on Wednesday (May 28).
Citing the example of autonomous vehicle networks, Gobind said that in Malaysia, any vehicle on the road must have a licensed driver behind the wheel to adhere to legal requirements.
“When we talk about autonomous vehicle networks, we are looking at how cars can move on their own.
“We have also already seen autonomous buses in Putrajaya.
“The question is how we can prepare the legal framework for this,” he said.
It was reported last year that an autonomous electric bus service trial will be rolled out in Putrajaya.
Utilising 5G to navigate, the new buses are the result of a collaboration involving national 5G network provider Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), Ericsson and local autonomous vehicle solutions developer eMooVit Technology Sdn Bhd.
