KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia requires a stronger legal framework to address the increasingly complex threat of cybercrimes, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).
The Deputy Prime Minister said cybercrimes were no longer limited to computer system breaches, but now included online fraud, identity theft, ransomware attacks and misuse of AI.
He said just in 2025, 66,204 online fraud cases were recorded, involving losses of nearly RM3bil.
“Behind those figures are ordinary Malaysians who have lost their savings, business owners who have suffered financial losses and families who have fallen victim to digital crimes that are becoming increasingly difficult to curb,” he said in a Facebook post, Bernama reported.
Ahmad Zahid said he raised the matter during a briefing with the Backbenchers Club on the Cybercrime Bill 2026 in Parliament yesterday.
He hoped that the Bill would be assessed based on facts, current needs and the country’s long-term interests, so that Malaysia can continue to maintain a safer cyberspace capable of protecting the interests of both the people and nation.
In a separate post, Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia and Indonesia will continue to strengthen strategic cooperation across various sectors, mainly in halal industry development, trade, rural development and human capital development.
He said the matter was discussed during a courtesy call on him by Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Raden Datuk Mohammad Iman Hascarya Kusumo and head of Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Organising Body Dr Ahmad Haikal Hassan in Parliament on Wednesday.
He said the meeting also discussed proposed areas of cooperation to further strengthen the halal ecosystem at regional and global levels.
“It includes the setting up of the Malaysia-Indonesia Halal Council, Asean Halal Council and World Halal Development Council as platforms to harmonise halal standards, expand halal trade and investment, and strengthen international cooperation,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid, who is the Malaysia Halal Industry Development Council chairman, said close ties between Malaysia and Indonesia would serve as a catalyst for deeper cooperation.
He said such collaboration will not only create more opportunities for both countries but also contribute to the development of a more competitive halal ecosystem.
