Kuala lumpur: Malaysia has made major strides in digital connectivity and technology adoption over the past decade. However, experts said the country's next challenge lay in building trust, safety, and responsible governance as artificial intelligence (AI) advanced, cyber threats grew more sophisticated, and online harms became increasingly complex. That was the central message of the International Regulatory Conference (IRC) 2026, where regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders explored how Malaysia could remain competitive, innovative, and resilient in the coming digital decade.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the conference was organised by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on July 21 and 22, bringing together global and local stakeholders to examine strategies for navigating the evolving digital landscape. Opening the conference, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil stressed the vital need for regulatory bodies to exchange ideas as governments worldwide confront swift technological shifts and increasingly sophisticated online risks.
As Malaysia accelerated into its digital decade, speakers agreed that regulation had to keep pace with innovation without becoming an obstacle to progress. Meanwhile, Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia executive chairman Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah warned against over-regulation, arguing that markets naturally innovated faster than governments could legislate. He acknowledged, however, that regulation was necessary where there was clear harm to society, particularly in areas such as online safety.
Rather than framing the debate as regulation versus innovation, other panellists argued that governments had to rethink how policies were developed. Joint managing director and partner at PEMANDU Associates Aida Azmi noted that governments and businesses often worked on different timelines, as companies were rewarded for bringing products to market quickly while regulators were expected to get policies right before implementation. Rather than treating regulation as static documents that took years to revise, she urged policymakers to adopt a more agile approach. 'Create policies as if they are a product,' she said, arguing that regulations should evolve continuously through feedback and real-world implementation.
Whether discussions focused on AI, personal data or social media, speakers repeatedly emphasised that public confidence would ultimately determine whether digital technologies succeeded. Content Forum Malaysia chief executive officer (CEO) Mediha Mahmood said concerns over algorithm-driven platforms had prompted regulators worldwide to examine not only harmful content but also the systems that continuously pushed similar material to users. 'It's not just the content per se that's being offered, but how the content is being offered and how repetitiously the content is being offered,' she said.
She said features such as autoplay, endless scrolling and personalised recommendations were designed to maximise engagement, but could also trap users in 'bubbles' where they were repeatedly exposed to similar viewpoints. According to Mediha, while platforms needed to design safer digital environments, users also had a responsibility to be mindful of how they engaged with digital platforms.
AI also dominated discussions on its governance rather than its potential, with CyberSecurity Malaysia head of Pre-Emptive Technology and Services Division Fazlan Abdullah warning that the technology had made phishing emails, scams and deepfake videos increasingly convincing as concerns ranged from cybersecurity to regulation. 'The bad actors are using AI to attack you. And if you are in the organisation, in government, you must use AI to defend against AI,' he said, urging organisations to adopt proactive cybersecurity measures instead of treating security as an afterthought.
Looking beyond Malaysia, ASEAN Secretariat's Digital Economy Division senior officer Hazremi Hamid said AI could not be governed effectively by countries acting alone, as data, digital services, and online threats were borderless. He said ASEAN was working towards developing common principles on AI governance, data management, and information sharing, while recognising that member states remained at different stages of digital development.
Malaysia's AI Governance Bill, which is currently being drafted, together with the establishment of the National AI Office in December 2024 and the Malaysia AI Safety Institute (MY-AISafe), were presented as part of a broader effort to create a risk-based framework that encourages innovation while protecting the public. Throughout the 10 dialogue sessions, discussions repeatedly returned to the importance of preparing people for the digital future, with experts stressing that frameworks had to remain adaptable as technology continued to evolve. Speakers said the country's competitiveness would depend on whether citizens understood not only how to use emerging technologies, but also how to navigate them responsibly.
While much of the conference focused on algorithms, regulation and AI, its strongest message may have been the simplest: technology should continue to serve people, not the other way around.