Kuala lumpur: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia requires a stronger legal framework to address the increasingly complex threat of cybercrime. He highlighted that cybercrime is no longer limited to computer system breaches, but now encompasses online fraud, identity theft, ransomware attacks, and the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid revealed that in 2025 alone, 66,204 online fraud cases were recorded, resulting in losses of nearly RM3 billion. He emphasized that these statistics represent ordinary Malaysians who have lost their savings, business owners who have suffered financial losses, and families who have fallen victim to digital crimes that are becoming increasingly difficult to curb.

Ahmad Zahid mentioned that he discussed the issue during a briefing with members of the MADANI Government Backbenchers Club on the Cybercrime Bill 2026 at the Parliament building. He expressed hope that the bill would be evaluated based on facts, current needs, and the country's long-term interests, enabling Malaysia to maintain a safer cyberspace that protects both the people and the nation.