02/07/2025

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WEDNESDAY | JULY 2, 2025

Govt mulls introducing law to regulate AI issues o Digital Ministry preparing report, Cabinet to decide whether legislation is needed: Gobind Ű BY MAHADHIR MONIHULDIN sunbiz@thesundaily.com

Ministry continues with rooftop solar power credit scheme PUTRAJAYA: The government will continue to allow over 96,000 existing rooftop solar users under the Malaysian Building Integrated Photovoltaic (MBIPV) and Net Energy Metering (NEM) schemes to earn electricity bill credits for the excess solar power they generate and export to the grid. In a statement yesterday, the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry said the continuation of the solar credit scheme aligns with the implementation of a new electricity tariff structure, effective yesterday, that ensures fairness and transparency. Under the updated framework, these credits will differ slightly based on which programme users are enrolled in, and for how long their systems have been active. At present, there are over 82,000 solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with a combined capacity of 1.7GW in operation, with another 14,000 systems (595MW) under development. The ministry noted that MBIPV users will receive credits for energy, network and capacity use for five more years, until Dec 31, 2030, while NEM 1.0 users will continue earning credits based on the displaced cost (the cost the utility avoids when solar energy replaces electricity from the grid) for 10 years, until Dec 31, 2035. Meanwhile, NEM 2.0 and 3.0 users will receive similar credits for ten years from the date their solar system was installed. The ministry said incentive rates and calculations will be adjusted as needed to ensure the system remains fair for all electricity users and to provide equitable incentives to eligible MBIPV and NEM users, including rebates or other related benefits. – Bernama Johor records highest GDP growth among states in 2024: DoSM JOHOR BAHRU: Johor recorded the highest gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate among the states in 2024 at 6.4%, surpassing the national average of 5.1%, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM). In a statement yesterday, the DoSM reported that Johor’s GDP is valued at RM158.0 billion in 2024, supported by its strategic location in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia, modern infrastructure network, major ports, and extensive and competitive industrial zones. In 2023, Johor recorded a growth rate of 4.1%, with its GDP valued at RM148.6 billion. DoSM said the rapid development of data centres in the state is a key driver of economic growth, particularly in the services, manu facturing and construction sectors. “The services sector grew by 6.0%, driven by large-scale investments in data centres. “Notable expansions are seen in the finance and insurance subsectors, real estate, and business services, which grew by 8.7%, alongside strong performances in the utilities, transportation and storage, and information and communication technology subsectors, which grew by 6%,” it said. Johor’s construction sector surged by 42.7% in 2024, fuelled by building and civil engineering projects, including power substations, advanced cooling systems and high-capacity fibre optic networks. The agricultural sector also expanded, rebounding by 4.2% compared to a 1.3% decline the previous year, mainly on higher palm oil production. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is considering introducing legislation to regulate risks and dangers associated with artificial intelligence (AI) in the country, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said. The Digital Ministry is preparing a report for the Cabinet to review and decide whether a legal act is necessary to control AI abuse, he said, adding that an alternative is to introduce rules and regulations to address any potential AI abuse that may arise. “Many issues related to AI have come up recently, and we are considering whether it’s necessary to introduce a law to control the situation. “My ministry is in the process of preparing a report about AI for the Cabinet, and we will see if the Cabinet deems it necessary to have a law in place or not. We can also look at other successful countries which implement rules and regulations for AI, but nothing legally binding,” Gobind said after officiating at CIMB Group’s Kita Bagi Jadi Komuniti event on Monday. CIMB has committed RM200 million over the next five years (2026-2030) to advance customers and society through this platform. Gobind encouraged people to utilise digital platforms to enhance their business and financial situation, as the government continues to develop the country’s digital infrastructure. He also commended banks such as CIMB for providing training and education to the public on how to utilise digital technology to their advantage. “What is important is that the ministry encourages initiatives by the public to use digital platforms to strengthen their business and their finances. The ministry commends CIMB for taking a proactive role in em powering communities through its targeted financing for entrepreneurs, low-income communities and the underbanked. KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is on the right track in cybersecurity as the government is introducing new policies and frameworks, said Zoho Corporation’s ManageEngine regional director, Asia Pacific, Arun Kumar. Arun said Malaysia’s cybersecurity is keeping pace with the rapid growth of its digital economy. “There is a cybersecurity law in Malaysia about securing critical infrastructure, such as banks and government institutions. There is also the Personal Data Protection Act when it comes to handling data,” he said during a media roundtable yesterday. Arun said these policies and frameworks are important first steps when moving towards a more secure cyber environment. However, Arun stressed that cybersecurity is not only a government responsibility and that the private sector and individual citizens also have a crucial role to play. “More awareness, more investments (needed from the private sector and citizens),” he said. Ű BY HAYATUN RAZAK sunbiz@thesundaily.com

From left: CIMB Malaysia and CIMB Bank CEO Gurdip Singh Sidhu, Gobind and Novan at the launch of CIMB Kita Bagi Jadi Komuniti .

move forward with us. “By equipping individuals and small businesses with the right tools, whether it is digital literacy, access to financing, or practical skills, we will enable them to participate meaningfully in the economy. That benefits our customers, our communities, and the broader market we operate in.” Novan said he was confident the RM200 million investment would provide support to underserved and vulnerable communities across Asean. “In parallel, our 33,000 employees across the region will contribute over 120,000 volunteer hours every year, giving their time and skills to support impact on the ground.” Arun concluded the country will be well prepared to maintain a safe digital environ ment if these steps are properly implemented. Malaysia has seen cyberattacks targeting financial institutions and government portals, including ransomware and phishing attacks aimed at stealing sensitive data. For example, in a high profile incident in March, computer systems at Kuala Lumpur International Airport were hit by an attack. The National Cyber Security Agency and Malaysia Airports Holdings said the hackers demanded a US$10 million (RM42 million) ransom, which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim rejected. Malaysia also recorded a staggering 4,017,161 internet-borne cyberthreats in the first quarter of 2025, according to data from Kaspersky. This translates to more than 44,000 daily attacks, reflecting a rising trend in cybercrime coinciding with the disbursement of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah government financial aid during the March–April period. A significant proportion of these cyberthreats stems from phishing scams distributed through popular messaging platforms.

“By providing greater access to financing, financial education and capacity building initiatives, the bank is enabling everyone to participate meaningfully in the economy. These efforts not only promote socioeconomic mobility but also support national productivity and long-term resilience,” Gobind said. CIMB Group CEO Novan Amirudin said the bank aims to create a thriving, inclusive society which leaves no one behind and benefits all its members. “At CIMB, our purpose to advance cus tomers and society, is simple but powerful. By enabling broader financial access, we help our customers succeed, and in turn, help society Arun reiterated that companies, regardless of size, should view government regulations, laws, and compliance requirements only as a starting point.“Companies still need to invest in upskilling, adopt the right tools, and prioritise a ‘cybersecurity-first’approach to stay protected.” Furthermore, Arun said, there are no unique cybersecurity challenges in Malaysia compared to other Asean countries. “I see somewhat similar trends, challenges when it comes to cyber security or cyber preparedness.” The main issues across the region are the lack of skilled workforce to support digital transformation and cybersecurity needs. “Most of the markets face challenges today when it comes to right skills in terms of workforce. Skilled workforce is one of the important steps every company, including SMEs, must take to build a safer nation,” Arun said. He noted there is a lot of momentum and strong growth expected from the digital transformation roadmap and the expanding digital economy. “However, if these priorities are neglected, organisations will remain vulnerable to cyberattacks, and such threats are likely to increase over time.”

‘Malaysia on right track in cybersecurity’