Artificial Intelligence Governance Bill Set For Early 2027 Parliamentary Tabling

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 – The proposed Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Bill drafting phase is complete and will be submitted to the Cabinet shortly, with plans for its formal tabling in the Dewan Rakyat early next year.

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo announced the legislative timeline during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

Gobind explained that the Bill will establish a comprehensive legal framework compelling entities involved in developing, distributing, or deploying AI models to assume strict responsibility for identifying, evaluating, and mitigating system risks.

The legislation focuses on mandatory risk management practices, corporate and developer accountability, and structured incident reporting frameworks across the AI technology lifecycle.

“This approach aligns with the principle that responsibility should be determined based on one’s role, level of control and the degree of risk associated with an AI system throughout its entire lifecycle,” Gobind stated in response to Datuk Idris Ahmad (PN-Bagan Serai).

To bolster technical advisory capabilities, the government is fostering cross-agency collaboration via AI Malaysia Berhad, which gathers industry experts to refine regulatory benchmarks. Malaysia is also collaborating with ASEAN counterparts to harmonize regional AI regulatory standards.

In the interim, existing enforcement against deepfakes, online fraud, identity theft, and content manipulation will continue under the Penal Code, the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, the Online Safety Act 2025, and the Cybersecurity Act 2024, alongside statutory amendments to the Evidence Act and Criminal Procedure Code.

Legislative Provisions, Regulatory Governance, and Regional Cooperation

Key legislative scopes, advisory bodies, and existing legal protections include:

• Parliamentary Tabling Timeline: Submitted to Cabinet soon, scheduled for early 2027 tabling in the Dewan Rakyat.
• Core Legislative Pillars: Enforces AI risk management, developer/user accountability based on control level, and mandatory incident reporting.
• AI Malaysia Berhad & ASEAN Alignment: AI Malaysia Berhad provides expert regulatory advisory, while cross-border efforts aim to harmonize ASEAN AI standards.
• Interim Legal Safeguards: AI fraud, deepfakes, and content manipulation actively prosecuted via the Penal Code, CMA 1998, Online Safety Act 2025, Cybersecurity Act 2024, Evidence Act, and Criminal Procedure Code.

–NMT