Treaty will help address growing threats to cybersecurity
MALAYSIA is set to ratify the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in October, the House was told.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this was part of the effort to combat the growing threat of cybercrime, which is getting more sophisticated and creative.
The convention is the first international treaty to address cybercrime by harmonising national laws, improving investigative techniques and increasing cooperation among nations.
Saifuddin Nasution said the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) received an average of 500 calls a day from people reporting online scams.
“There is an increasing trend with regard to reports related to online scams and we have to respond to public complaints,” he said in reply to Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar).
Based on police records, Saifuddin said a total of 46,085 cybercrime reports were lodged last year with 49% of cases resolved.
To further improve the battle against cybercrime, he said the NSRC was placed under the purview of the police, effective July.
The NSRC comprises representatives from Bank Negara, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the police, and will have its own office in Cyberjaya.
“At the behest of the Prime Minister, the Public Service Department has also agreed to consider creating 139 new posts for the centre,” he added.
Saifuddin Nasution revealed that the ministry is currently reviewing cybercrime laws to expand the power of enforcement agencies, and to include provisions for real-time strategic data collection.
“Cybercrime is getting more threatening and creative. Our laws on cybercrime cannot remain static but dynamic,” he added.
