KUALA LUMPUR – The government will be conducting a comprehensive study on procedures and authority in an effort to comprehensively combat online crime.
In a statement, today, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the study is being conducted to ensure clear policy decisions are made in relation to amendments of existing legislation and the enactment of new laws in relation to the matter.
She said the study will be conducted by the Legal Affairs Division and the National Anti-Financial Crime Centre (NFCC), and is also related to comparative and public consultation.
“The study will be carried out over a period of three months starting in January in collaboration with academics at a local university.
“This initiative reflects the ongoing efforts and commitment of the unity government to continue to deal with the issue of online crime, to ensure the existence of a safe digital environment for the people.
“(This) is in response to the growing challenges posed by the threat of online crime.
“The unity government is intensifying its efforts and commitment to fight online crime through legal reform, in line with the passage of time and technological developments,” she said.
Azalina further said a meeting chaired by her had been held together with the Legal Affairs Division, NFCC, Attorney-General’s Chambers, Royal Malaysia Police, National Security Council, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
She explained that the meeting aimed to examine the challenges and existing laws under various ministries and agencies related to the threat of online crime.
The meeting, she said, was also to identify comprehensive legal measures that could combat the specific offences involved.
“As of November 30, 2023, the total losses reported is as much as RM173,339,234.73.
“In addition, a total of 8,213 investigation papers by NFCC, police, MCMC and BNM were opened involving various allocations, including 529 frozen accounts with a value of RM65,939,700.51,” she added. – December 20, 2023