KUALA LUMPUR: The Cybercrimes Bill 2026 seeks to close gaps in existing legislation, which is considered inadequate in dealing with digitally manipulated content and the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said provisions relating to the dissemination of intimate images were drafted taking into account limitations in existing laws, including Section 507E of the Penal Code (Act 574) and Section 8 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792).
“Existing provisions are considered insufficient to address the dissemination of digitally manipulated intimate images in the context of modern cybercrime involving complex computer systems and cross-border application.
“At the same time, Act 792 is limited to cases involving child victims.
“These provisions are intended to curb the circulation of intimate images, including cases where such images were originally obtained with the consent of the victim but are later distributed without consent,” he said during the tabling of the Bill for second reading in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (July 1).
Under Section 24 of Part VI of the Bill, it is an offence for any person to transmit, distribute, publish, sell, offer for sale or otherwise make available any intimate image of another person through a computer system without lawful justification.
Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, a fine not exceeding RM300,000, or both.
Where the offence is committed with intent to cause humiliation, harm, coercion or intimidation to the person depicted, the penalty is enhanced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, a fine not exceeding RM500,000, or both.
Ahmad Zahid added that the Bill also provides for offences relating to digital forgery (deepfake), involving content generated or manipulated using computer systems with the intent to commit or facilitate offences under any written law.
Meanwhile, he said the Bill is crucial in strengthening the country’s ability to address increasingly complex cyber threats in line with digital technological developments.
“It is designed to close gaps in existing laws, strengthen prevention, detection and enforcement, and ensure the legal system remains relevant to current cyber challenges.
“It also reflects the government’s commitment to protecting national security, public interest and the well-being of the people and is expected to enhance public and business confidence in the security of the country’s digital space.
“Thereby supporting the growth of the digital economy and Malaysia’s competitiveness,” he said.
The Bill is intended, among other things, to repeal the Computer Crimes Act 1997 (Act 563) to ensure that Malaysia can meet its international obligations under the Budapest Convention (Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime) and the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime.
