DOHA: The country's online banking system and financial transactions remain secure despite attempted cyberattacks by non-state actors, including a recent hacking incident involving Bank Rakyat's website, says Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.
The Communications Minister, who is also the Madani government spokesperson, said the hacking attempts detected so far had not resulted in data theft or affected the country's online banking operations.
"We have identified attempts by non-state actors to launch cyberattacks, including hacking, but so far there has been no data theft or disruption to online banking systems.
"So, our banking and financial sectors remain secure, and online transactions are safe," he said when asked by a Malaysian about the latest cyberattacks targeting the country, particularly the hacking of Bank Rakyat's website, after attending the bowling event at the 2026 Malaysian Games in Qatar (SUQMA 2026) here Saturday (Nov 7).
Malaysia's Ambassador to Qatar Faizal Razali and Malaysian Association of Qatar (MAQ) president Dr Mohd Faris Khamidi were also present.
On the hacking incident involving Bank Rakyat's website, Fahmi said it was confined to changes to the website's appearance and involved a third-party-managed site.
"In the latest development, Bank Rakyat reported that its third-party-managed website had been hacked, but the incident was limited to web defacement and the website had been taken over," he said.
He said Bank Rakyat had blocked access to the affected server and redirected users to the i-Rakyat website, which the bank fully owns.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had ordered the National Security Council (MKN) to review potential security threats to various national infrastructure facilities, particularly hybrid threats, as early as the beginning of last week.
He said the exercise involved examining internet infrastructure, websites and databases to ensure continued protection of the country's digital assets.
"At yesterday's Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister called for a more thorough review of cybersecurity across all government assets, banking institutions and government-linked companies, including by the National Cyber Security Agency and the MKN," he said.
Fahmi is leading the Malaysian delegation to the 2026 International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference (ITU PP-26), from Nov 6 to 11, an important platform for the country's participation in international discussions and cooperation on telecommunications and digital technology.
His working visit to Doha also includes efforts to retain Malaysia's seat on the ITU Council for the 2027-2030 term. - Bernama
