08/10/2025

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Government drafting new Bill to address cybercrime

AGC rejects bid by Muhyiddin to drop corruption charges KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has rejected a representation submitted by former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to drop seven charges that he is facing for abuse of power and receiving proceeds from unlawful activities. DPP Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin informed the High Court of the development during yesterday’s mention before judge K. Muniandy. “The prosecution received the representation from the defence counsel on Aug 19. We have since notified the defence that the said representation was rejected by the AGC on Aug 22. “In light of this, the prosecution applies for trial dates to be fixed,“ said Wan Shaharuddin, who is handling the case with DPP Mahadi Abdul Jumaat. He also informed the court that Muhyiddin’s presence in court yesterday had been excused and the prosecution is ready to commence trial in January 2026 as the witness statements have been prepared. However, Muhyiddin’s lead counsel Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik requested that trial dates be scheduled for May or June next year. Another defence team member Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad informed the court that although they have received the witness list, formal witness statements are still required to prepare their case. The High Court set case management for Nov 10 and to fix the trial dates. The court also granted the defence’s application to exempt Muhyiddin’s personal appearance on that date. Muhyiddin, 78, who was prime minister between 2020 and 2021, and is Bersatu president, is charged with four counts of abuse of power for allegedly soliciting RM232.5 million in bribes for the political party from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, Mamfor Sdn Bhd and Datuk Azman Yusoff in connection with the Jana Wibawa project.. The charge is framed under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which provides up to 20 years’ jail and a minimum fine of five times the amount or value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction. The Pagoh MP also faces three counts of receiving RM200 million in proceeds from unlawful activities from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, deposited into Bersatu’s Ambank and CIMB Bank accounts. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is in the process of drafting a new Bill on cybercrime as part of efforts to curb online offences in the country, said Home Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah. He said the gap between existing laws and the current realities of cybercrime has been identified as one of the most critical issues affecting the success of enforcement actions against syndicates involved in such activities. He also said many legal provisions are deemed outdated or insufficiently stringent, especially in dealing with sophisticated fraud impedes enforcement actions: Deputy minister Warden jailed for sexual assault of stepdaughter KUALA TERENGGANU: A prison warden was sentenced to five years’ jail and four strokes of the cane by the Sessions Court here yesterday after he was found guilty of committing physical sexual assault against his 14-year-old stepdaughter. Judge Mohd Zul Zakiqudin Zulkifli handed down the sentence on the 42-year-old after the defence failed to raise a reasonable doubt at the close of its case. The court imposed a four-year prison term for the offence under Section 14(d) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and an additional one year and four strokes of the cane for a supplementary charge under Section 16(1) of the same Act. The prison sentences are to run consecutively, effective from the date of conviction, with the accused placed under police supervision for two years after the completion of the term. – Bernama o Gap between existing laws and current realities

techniques, Bernama reported. “More concerning is the absence of a comprehensive Act that specifically addresses cross-border cybercrimes, resulting in many cases being left unresolved or unprosecuted. “The penalties imposed are sometimes too lenient and fail to serve as an effective deterrent to offenders or other syndicates,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat. He was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodi (GPS–Sri Aman), who asked about the weaknesses in enforcement that have led to Malaysia being perceived as a preferred destination for international scam syndicates, including a recent case involving over 400 individuals detained in Bangsar South in the federal capital. Shamsul Anuar said limitations in technical expertise and manpower among digital forensic and cyber enforcement teams also pose major challenges as many officers are not adequately equipped to deal with new

technologies used by scammers, such as VPNs and encrypted communication platforms. “The country’s cyber monitoring and security infrastructure has yet to match that of developed nations, leading to slower and less comprehensive detection and response to digital threats,” he said. He added that the government has amended existing laws, such as the Penal Code, particularly on financial fraud involving mule accounts, by introducing new provisions, including Section 42D on offences related to the possession, control or use of ATM cards, credit cards and other payment instruments. He said Malaysia’s efforts to address cybercrime also involve regional collaboration. “This year, police carried out four joint operations with Singapore, Indonesia and China, resulting in 45 arrests. This shows that such crimes are not confined within the country but have international links,” he said.

SEIZED SUBSTANCES ... Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar (centre) at a press conference at the state police contingent headquarters yesterday, viewing confiscated items on display after police busted two drug trafficking syndicates in the Klang Valley. – BERNAMAPIC