Malaysia’s cyber security is still weak – PM Anwar

PUTRAJAYA: The aspect of cyber security should be given priority considering that Malaysia is still at a weak level in this matter compared to other countries, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said that in order to deal with the issue, it requires a lot of training, expertise and networking with cyber intelligence agencies.

Anwar said a number of strict measures are needed, among them the regulations that will be introduced, aimed at overcoming online crime and cyber bullying, thereby creating a safe virtual environment for users.

The Prime Minister said that one of the things the government has done in dealing with this issue is to introduce the Cyber Security Bill, and recently the Minister of Communications Fahmi Fadzil and the Minister of Digital Gobind Singh Deo put a lot of focus so that online security is guaranteed for the people inside and outside country.

He said this while speaking at the opening ceremony of National Security Month 2024, here today.

Last Sunday Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Legislation and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said a new law to increase the level of digital security including provisions regarding the procedure and enforcement of the kill switch will be presented in Parliament this October.

He said the law would, among other things, place responsibility on social media and Internet messaging service providers to play a role in dealing with online crimes such as fraud, cyber bullying, the dissemination of child sexual abuse material as well as sexual harassment and solicitation.

Meanwhile, Anwar called on the people not to underestimate the need for national defense, considering that there are a few people who are seen to feel comfortable with the country’s security following the peaceful situation, sufficient food, the proud rate of economic growth, the declining unemployment rate and the increased investment into the country.

He said economic growth should also be focused on without neglecting aspects of national security, including values and good governance in the security forces that also include transparent procurement methods, which are important aspects of national security.

“If the goal is to maintain national security, then the means of procurement must be responsible.

Sometimes the procurement is to guarantee security but the way of buying causes too much leakage, and this must be stopped,” he said.
On the issue of the South China Sea, Anwar said Malaysia’s relationship with the United States and China as well as western countries remained good despite international reports that there was an outbreak and violation of some rules by China.

“We are not bound by the framework of foreign diplomacy. We determine our own (country) interests and strategies. In our experience, so far we have not faced any threats that we consider worrisome.

“Even if we look at the western media, it emphasizes that there seems to be an outbreak and violation of some rules by China, but our relationship with China shows that all problems can be resolved at the negotiating table in an orderly and polite manner,” he said.