KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is strengthening its digital governance to keep technological progress secure, resilient and trusted, while balancing innovation with accountability, says Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.
"Can citizens trust the platforms they use, the information they consume and the digital systems that increasingly shape their daily lives? Technology has evolved far more rapidly than many of the frameworks designed to govern it," the Communications Minister said during his keynote address at the International Regulators Conference (IRC) 2026 on Tuesday (July 21).
He said IRC 2026 aims to translate dialogue into practical policy outcomes and foster stronger international cooperation to better govern the digital landscape.
"The experience that we can draw from neighbouring countries and those further afield is very important for us to identify gaps in our laws and the measures that we may need to take domestically," he said.
He expressed hope that discussions during the conference would lead to concrete follow-up actions in Malaysia and abroad, adding that the outcomes would also be shared with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), of which Malaysia is a council member.
Separately, Derek John Fernandez from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said AI had amplified criminals' ability to seize information and exploit people through highly convincing simulations.
He noted that it is impossible and complex to simply shut down all these problems in digital platforms, as there are two values competing with each other, namely, protection and revenue for the company.
"The first value we compete for is the need to protect our citizens as regulators. The second is shareholder value for the companies providing these services," he said in his keynote address.
"For many technology companies, revenue is important and trading data forms part of their business model.
"But to regulators, data falling into the hands of dishonest actors can lead to the weaponisation of information and facilitate crimes, particularly against vulnerable groups.
He also stressed that digital laws must mirror physical laws, with strict verification and accountability to prevent abuse, particularly to children.
"Just like how pubs check verification for underage drinking alcohol, such restrictions and verifications are needed in the digital world," he said.
The IRC 2026 was held from July 21 to 22 at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, gathering regulators, industry leaders and experts to share views and shape Malaysia's digital future.
