Latest news with #CybercrimeBill
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Empowering Malaysians through trust in MyDigital ID
IN an age of rising digital scams and identity theft, Malaysia's push for a national digital identity system — MyDigital ID — could not be more timely. But for it to succeed, it must be built on trust, transparency, and voluntary adoption. MyDigital ID is not just another login. It is a digital trust anchor — a secure way to verify who you are online, whether you are renewing a licence, paying traffic summons, or registering a SIM card. And it is backed by the same authority that issues your MyKad — the National Registration Department (NRD). When onboard, your identity is cross-checked against NRD's database. No data is stored, no profiling is done, and no centralised tracking exists. It simply confirms that you are you — nothing more, nothing less. Digital identity without cybersecurity is a risk. That is why NACSA (National Cyber Security Agency) has been entrusted to oversee the MyDigital ID initiative. Our role is to ensure the system is resilient and built with public safety in mind. We are also preparing legal safeguards. The upcoming Cybercrime Bill, expected to be tabled in Parliament this December, will criminalise the misuse of digital identities — making impersonation and exploitation prosecutable offences. But cybersecurity is not just about infrastructure. It is about culture. Malaysians must understand how to protect themselves online — and MyDigital ID is a key part of that journey. Online scams are often powered by stolen passwords, fake profiles, and untraceable mobile numbers. MyDigital ID helps stop them by verifying your identity across three layers — a method inspired by multi-factor authentication: * Who you are: fingerprint or facial recognition; * What you know: your password; and, * What you have: your registered device or app It is like having three locks on your digital front door — your fingerprint, your password, and your trusted device. Only when all three line up do you get access. This makes impersonation far harder for scammers and helps prevent unauthorised access to your online accounts. It also plays a crucial role in SIM card registration. Scammers often use mobile numbers tied to fake or stolen identities to impersonate others and commit fraud. By linking SIM registration to MyDigital ID: * Only verified individuals can activate phone numbers, and * Impersonation via mobile becomes significantly harder. When every SIM card is tied to a verified digital identity, impersonation becomes much harder — and accountability becomes possible. So far, 35 government apps and 7 non-government platforms have integrated MyDigital ID — including MyJPJ, MyBayar, MySejahtera and MyTNB. In addition, 17 more applications are currently undergoing integration, and by year's end, we expect to surpass 100 integrated apps. Even the financial sector is preparing. Bank Negara Malaysia is leveraging its Financial Technology Regulatory Sandbox to explore secure integration of MyDigital ID within banking institutions, with a rollout targeted for 2026. As more services come onboard, the value of MyDigital ID becomes clearer. That is why voluntary adoption — driven by relevance and understanding — is the right path forward. Mandates may be discussed in policy circles, but from a cybersecurity standpoint, empowerment and education are far more effective. Mandating may not be suitable for now. Countries like Singapore and Saudi Arabia have shown that success comes from integration, not compulsion. Malaysia is on the right track — prioritising security, usability, and legal safeguards. MyDigital ID is a powerful tool. But its strength lies in its ability to build trust, not enforce compliance. As we expand its reach, let's focus on transparency, usefulness, and empowering Malaysians to take control of their digital lives — securely and confidently.
The Star
08-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
‘Step up digital safety education'
JOHOR BARU: As artificial intelligence (AI) scams get more sophisticated, a cyber expert says it is time for cybersecurity and digital safety education in schools. Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president Siraj J alil (pic) said the government cannot afford to depend on short-term fixes to address the worsening situation. 'We have already amended outdated laws, such as the Communications and Multi-media Act. 'The Cybercrime Bill will be tabled in October and the Cyber Security Act was passed last year. 'We can no longer find short-term solutions. The Education Ministry must step up and introduce proper digital safety education in schools,' he said when contacted. Siraj said while awareness campaigns by Bank Negara and the authorities are important, they are not enough. 'There is a rush to raise awareness which is a good thing, but awareness alone will not protect us. We are still seeing dozens of scam cases every day,' he pointed out. Siraj said rapid development of AI technology makes it even more important for the authorities to act. 'Even criminals can now easily create their own language models, making it even harder to track them down,' he added. Siraj said the Digital Education Policy introduced in 2023 lacks the fundamental pillars of cybersecurity and safety. He suggested that the Education Ministry adopt the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's (Unesco) Digital Literacy Framework, which includes safety and well-being as key pillars. 'If you teach digital safety properly, students will spread the word and this will be a great way to build awareness,' he added.
The Star
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
‘Need for global action to counter cyber threat spike'
KUALA LUMPUR: A 78% spike in ransomware attacks in Malaysia in the final quarter of 2024 has raised concerns over the urgent need for coordinated global action to counter increasingly sophisticated and borderless cyber threats, says Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo (pic). 'Ransomware attacks, data breaches and cyber-enabled frauds are escalating in frequency and complexity,' he said at the opening of the inaugural Cyber Games 2025 here yesterday. 'The Cyber Games 2025 is a direct response to this need.' Gobind's speech was read out by the ministry's secretary-general, Fabian Bigar. Hosted by Malaysia in collaboration with the Council of Europe, Interpol and the National Cyber Security Agency, the event has drawn 120 participants from 40 countries, including the United Kingdom, Switzerland, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Qatar, Morocco, Ukraine, Turkiye, Chile, Brazil, Armenia, Albania, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Singapore. The four-day event marks the first-ever edition of the Cyber Games, a global platform designed to enhance international capacity, foster engagement and strengthen digital forensic capabilities among cybersecurity professionals, Bernama reported. Gobind said the initiative unites law enforcement professionals, investigators and digital forensic specialists in confronting simulated, high-pressure cyber attack scenarios, intending to improve global preparedness. Participants will undergo real-time exercises covering digital forensics, blockchain analysis, open-source intelligence, malware analysis and incident response, all aimed at boosting resilience in the face of rising cybercrime threats. The minister also noted that the Cyber Games coincided with Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean in 2025, during which the country made cybersecurity a top regional priority. 'As the Chair of Asean in 2025, we have placed cybersecurity and cybercrime at the forefront of our regional agenda. We are committed to driving policies and initiatives that bolster the Asean cyber ecosystem and promote trust in digital environments across member states,' he said. Gobind also reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to strengthening legal frameworks, citing recent Cabinet approval for the nation's accession to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and the drafting of a new Cybercrime Bill expected to be tabled in Parliament by year-end.
Malaysiakini
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Council of Europe official lauds M'sian cybersecurity reform
Malaysia's commitment and transparency in tackling cybercrime have drawn praise from the head of the Cybercrime Division of the Council of Europe, Alexander Seger, who believes the country is more prepared than it gives itself credit for. Speaking to Bernama at the Cyber Games 2025 hosted in Kuala Lumpur, he commended Malaysia's proactive stance in strengthening its cybersecurity framework through legal reforms, including the adoption of the Cyber Security Act and ongoing public consultations on the Cybercrime Bill. 'What I have seen in recent years is...
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Cyber threat spike: Gobind urges united global front as Malaysia hosts Cyber Games 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: A staggering 78 per cent increase in ransomware cases in Malaysia in the fourth quarter of 2024 has sounded the alarm on the growing complexity and scale of cyber threats, prompting urgent calls for stronger global cooperation and readiness, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said. He said the surge highlights a critical need for a united international front in combating cybercrime. 'Cyber threats today are increasingly sophisticated and borderless. Ransomware attacks, data breaches and cyber-enabled frauds are escalating in frequency and complexity. The Cyber Games 2025 is a direct response to this need,' he said at the opening of the inaugural Cyber Games 2025 here today. His speech text was delivered by Digital Ministry secretary-general Fabian Bigar. Hosted by Malaysia in collaboration with the Council of Europe, INTERPOL and the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA), the event has drawn 120 participants from 40 countries, including United Kingdom, Switzerland, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Qatar, Morocco, Ukraine, Türkiye, Chile, Brazil, Armenia, Albania, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Singapore. The four-day event marks the first-ever edition of the Cyber Games, a global platform designed to enhance international capacity, foster engagement and strengthen digital forensic capabilities among cybersecurity professionals. Gobind said the initiative unites law enforcement professionals, investigators and digital forensic specialists in confronting simulated, high-pressure cyberattack scenarios, intending to improve global preparedness. Participants will undergo real-time exercises covering digital forensics, blockchain analysis, open-source intelligence (OSINT), malware analysis, and incident response, all aimed at boosting resilience in the face of rising cybercrime threats. The minister also noted that the Cyber Games coincided with Malaysia's chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025, during which the country made cybersecurity a top regional priority. 'As the Chair of ASEAN in 2025, we have placed cybersecurity and cybercrime at the forefront of our regional agenda. We are committed to driving policies and initiatives that bolster the ASEAN cyber ecosystem and promote trust in digital environments across member states,' he said. Gobind also reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to strengthening legal frameworks, citing recent Cabinet approval for the nation's accession to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and the drafting of a new Cybercrime Bill expected to be tabled in Parliament by year-end.
