KUALA LUMPUR: The newly passed Cybercrime Bill 2026 is a necessary step to curb the growing misuse of social media, says Datuk Seri Michael Chong.
The MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau chief said the rise in cyber-related offences had become increasingly alarming, with victims facing scams, online harassment, extortion and reputational attacks through digital platforms.
He said the severity of the problem was reflected in more than 2,000 cybercrime-related complaints received by his department since the Covid-19 pandemic.
“These criminals use social media to pressure victims. They upload family photographs, including pictures of children and elderly family members, to shame and intimidate them into paying money,” he told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday (July 7).
Chong said many victims suffered emotional distress after being targeted online, adding that cybercrime cases handled by his department represented only “the tip of the iceberg” as many more cases went unreported.
He also highlighted the increasing use of social media by individuals, business competitors and influencers to attack others, including cases involving the misuse of private or intimate images.
“Something has to be done before it gets out of control. Anyone can use social media to extort or destroy someone’s reputation,” he said.
The Cybercrime Bill 2026 was recently passed in Parliament, with Chong describing it as an important measure to provide stronger legal protection for victims.
“Everyone has a role to play. We hope this Bill can help protect victims and prevent more people from suffering,” he said.
Lawyer Datuk Joy W. Appukuttan said the legislation was timely as cybercrime was no longer limited by geographical boundaries and required updated laws to address modern digital threats.
He said Malaysia’s previous cybercrime legislation was introduced in 1997 and needed to be strengthened to deal with current challenges, including identity theft, deepfakes, online fraud, unauthorised access to computer systems and digital impersonation.
“The internet has no boundaries. A single statement or image shared online can have worldwide consequences and cause serious harm to individuals and their families,” he said.
Joy added that the Bill, which contains 61 sections, covers a wide range of offences including illegal interception of computer data, damaging digital information, hacking and the misuse of personal data.
Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation vice-president Datuk Seri Dr King Lim Chin Fui welcomed the Bill, saying cybercrime was closely linked to the growing problem of online bullying.
“The organisation would continue working with the public to promote awareness and prevention efforts against cyber-related offences,” he said.
