Malaysia’s proposed Cybercrime Act is expected to come into force in early 2027 as the government moves to strengthen the country’s legal framework against increasingly complex and organised cybercrime.
Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the government was taking the growing threat of online scams seriously and would continue reviewing existing laws to ensure they remained relevant and effective.
He said the country’s legal framework had already been strengthened through amendments to the Penal Code, including the introduction of Sections 424A, 424B, 424C(1) and 424C(2), as well as amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code through the introduction of Section 116D.
“Action against online crime is also supported by relevant provisions under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
“At the same time, the government has introduced the Online Safety Act 2025 as new legislation to improve online safety and protect users from harmful online content and risks,” he said in a written parliamentary reply published on Parliament’s website.
Saifuddin was responding to Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu), who asked whether the government was prepared to amend outdated laws and impose heavier penalties, including caning, on online scammers.
He added that the proposed Cybercrime Bill would further strengthen the legal framework in line with technological developments and the changing cybercrime threat landscape.
The move aims to ensure Malaysia’s laws can keep pace with evolving cyber threats while providing stronger protection for online users.
