Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – The Malaysian Government on June 22 introduced the Cybercrime Bill 2026 in the Parliament to replace the existing legislation governing traditional computer-related offences and better adapt to emerging technologies.
As reported by the local news site New Straits Times, the bill was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on the day by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Containing eight parts and 61 clauses, it seeks to strengthen enforcement powers in investigating and prosecuting cybercrime cases.
The bill also proposes repealing the Computer Crimes Act 1997 (Act 563) to ensure Malaysia meets its international obligations under the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention) and the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime.
Among others, the proposed legislation provides for the extra-territorial application of offences and the establishment of a committee on combating cybercrime.
According to the blue bill book, Clause 24 provides for the offence of disseminating intimate images of any person by transmitting, distributing, publishing, selling, offering for sale or otherwise making such content available through a computer system.
It states that any person convicted under the clause shall be liable to imprisonment of up to five years, a fine not exceeding 300,000 MYR (72,470 USD), or both. The bill also provides for enhanced penalties where the offence is committed with intent to cause humiliation, harm, coercion or intimidation to the person depicted.
Zahid said its second reading would take place during the current parliamentary session.
In Malaysia, losses resulting from online fraud increased by 86% to 2.9 billion MYR in 2025 compared with 2024./.
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