Online Safety Bill 2024 To Protect Interests of All Malaysians

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5  – The Online Safety Bill is expected to be presented to the Dewan Rakyat in October in full and take into account cyber crimes that may arise in the future.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid said the new law was introduced for the benefit of all Malaysians, especially children who use the internet daily. “In that regard, we are very worried about the victims, the victims of fraud and of course this law will look at certain areas in terms of crimes that maybe is not happening now, but there are some things that we think may happen in the future,” he said.

He spoke to reporters after the launch of the Online Harm International Legal Conference 2024, which was attended by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and the Spanish Ambassador to Malaysia, José Luis Pardo. Ahmad Zahid said the Attorney General’s Office will draft the bill which will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval before being sent to the Dewan Rakyat in October.

Azalina was previously quoted as saying that she would introduce the bill, while implementation and enforcement would be the responsibility of the Communications Ministry through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). In his opening remarks, Ahmad Zahid, who is also the chairman of the National Social Council, said that the council is dedicated to promoting values ​​and building human rights to improve social relations, stability and well-being of Malaysians who are civilized and stay strong. society.

He said that the council is working hard on important issues such as mental health support through initiatives such as the Talian HEAL (Bantuan Krisis Kesihatan Mental) crisis hotline, which provides those in need of help. “Additionally, we are working hard to combat the growing threat of online crime, which is increasing as people spend more time in digital spaces.

“These combined efforts are part of our broader commitment to ensure that the benefits of technology are used appropriately and that our nation’s social relations remain strong and – consistent despite these new challenges,” he said. Talking about the tragic death of Rajeswary Appahu, a victim of cyberbullying and known online as Esha, he said that the younger generation is exposed to dangers that the previous generation never faced, such as cyberbullying, l exposing inappropriate content to online predators.

Ahmad Zahid said creating a safe digital environment that protects children and helps families manage online risks is a shared responsibility.