KOTA KINABALU: The existing legislation pertaining to cybercrime is comparable to “scrap iron” and should be promptly replaced with a more robust act.
Datuk Masiung Banah, the assemblyman for Kuamut, emphasised the urgent need to develop a new act that aligns systematically with the advancements in digital technology.
Malaysia has been ranked 11th globally for the highest number of data breaches since 2022, making it the country with the most data breaches.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) has reported a loss of RM2.23 billion due to cybercrime in the country.
These statistics are based on a study on cybercrime conducted by the Institute of Public Security (IPSOM).
“Our current cyber legislation is relatively weak, making Malaysia an attractive target for scammers both domestically and internationally, resulting in substantial profits,” Masiung stated in a media release today.
“Many of our national cyber laws were enacted prior to 2010, rendering them outdated.
“The outdated legislation must be amended promptly to keep pace with the ever-evolving virtual world, which knows no borders, in order to combat online fraud through various digital platforms.
“The pervasive nature of the virtual world exposes almost all citizens of this country to scam crimes.
Expanding on the issue, Masiung highlighted the alarming increase in cases of data theft in the country, which have been rising significantly each year.
According to the Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Board (LPPB), data breaches were the second most reported cyber security scam last year, involving 5,917 cases.
Meanwhile, in Sabah, Masiung noted that cybercrime, including scams, has seen a surge in the past three years since September 2020, with a total of 4,686 cases reported, resulting in losses exceeding RM100 million.
The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) has recorded the highest number of cybercrimes in Sabah, particularly involving telecommunications.
