Kuala lumpur: The government is in the process of drafting a new bill on cybercrime as part of efforts to curb online offences in the country, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said. He highlighted the gap between existing laws and the current realities of cybercrime as a critical issue affecting enforcement actions against syndicates involved in such activities.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Shamsul Anuar pointed out that many legal provisions are outdated or insufficiently stringent in addressing increasingly sophisticated fraud techniques. He noted the absence of a comprehensive act specifically targeting cross-border cybercrimes, which often results in unresolved or unprosecuted cases. He emphasized that penalties are sometimes too lenient to deter offenders or other syndicates.

During question time in the Dewan Rakyat, Shamsul Anuar responded to Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodi (GPS-Sri Aman), who questioned the enforcement weaknesses that have led to Malaysia being seen as a preferred destination for international scam syndicates. This concern was highlighted by a recent incident involving the detention of over 400 individuals in Bangsar South, Kuala Lumpur.

Shamsul Anuar also mentioned limitations in technical expertise and manpower among digital forensic and cyber enforcement teams as significant challenges. Many officers are not adequately equipped to handle new technologies used by scammers, such as virtual private networks (VPNs), spoofing, and encrypted communication platforms.

He further noted that Malaysia's cyber monitoring and security infrastructure lags behind that of developed nations, leading to slower and less comprehensive detection and response to digital threats. To address this, the government has amended existing laws, such as the Penal Code (Act 574), introducing new provisions like Section 42D, which deals with offences related to ATM cards, credit cards, and other payment instruments.

Malaysia's efforts to combat cybercrime also involve regional collaboration. In 2022, five joint operations with countries such as Singapore, Australia, and Taiwan rescued over 30 victims of love scams and job fraud cases. In 2023, three joint operations with Singapore and Taiwan resulted in 21 arrests, and in 2024, another 10 suspects were detained in collaboration with Taiwan and Singapore. This year, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) conducted four joint operations with Singapore, Indonesia, and China, leading to 45 arrests. These efforts underscore the international nature of such crimes.