Cybercrimes Bill to replace Computer Crimes Act, says NSC

PUTRAJAYA, July 1 —The Cybercrimes Bill 2026 is not merely intended to comply with the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime and the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, but also to provide for criminal offences under Parts III to VI of the Bill, as well as offences under any other written law involving the use of computer systems.

The National Security Council (NSC) said in a statement yesterday that the Bill had been drafted based on the suitability of Malaysia’s existing legal framework and law enforcement mechanisms.

“The drafting of the Bill took into account feedback gathered from more than 40 engagement sessions, workshops and meetings with various stakeholders, including the Royal Malaysia Police, the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, as well as the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime, since September 2023.

“In addition, the NSC, through the National Cyber Security Agency, also gave a briefing on the Cybercrimes Bill 2026 to the 15th Parliament’s Special Select Committee on Security and the Special Select Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Communications on Feb 25, 2026,” the statement said.

It said another briefing was also held for members of the MADANI Government Backbenchers Club in Parliament on June 25.

“The feedback and recommendations received were carefully assessed from legal, policy and implementation perspectives before the Cybercrimes Bill 2026 was tabled in Parliament,” the statement said.

On June 22, the Cybercrimes Bill 2026, which seeks to repeal the Computer Crimes Act 1997 (Act 563), was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat. It is scheduled for second and third readings on July 1. — Bernama