Latest news with #AzalinaOthmanSaid
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Fahmi: Malaysia's Online Safety Act to strengthen digital protections, enforcement expected soon
PUTRAJAYA, June 18 — The Online Safety Act 2024 is expected to be enforced soon after several key processes related to the legislation are finalised, according to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. Fahmi, who is also Madani Government spokesperson, said he is currently awaiting the draft of the Act from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), which includes the regulations to be adopted. 'Once the draft is ready and I sign the gazette to enforce the Act, then it will come into effect,' he said at his weekly press conference today. Fahmi said that a committee will also be set up by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, to oversee the implementation of the Act. 'This committee will have regulatory powers over the enforcement of the Act, such as defining what constitutes online harms,' he explained. Prior to this, Azalina said that the new law would come into force once the Communications Minister signs the enforcement order, enabling the government to act swiftly to remove illegal content. Under the Act, platform providers are also required to comply with specified duties of care. Azalina noted that while the Online Safety Act focuses on platform regulation and digital responsibilities, any issues involving children must be addressed within the framework of the Child Act 2001. In a related development, Fahmi said sign language interpreters will have increased involvement in key programmes to facilitate communication with persons with disabilities (PwD). 'Insya-Allah, I will strive to ensure that sign language interpreters are not only present during Communications Ministry press conferences but also in upcoming parliament sessions and other areas. We want to highlight the role of sign language interpreters,' he added. — Bernama
Sinar Daily
3 days ago
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Raising the retirement age to 65 is a step backward for future generations
RECENTLY, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for Law and Institutional Reform Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said suggested that Malaysia should consider raising the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65. Although she expressed this as a personal view, it has stirred public concern, particularly among the younger generation. The minister believes it is a loss when capable individuals are required to retire at 60 while they are still productive and energetic. With full respect to the minister and her generation, I believe this suggestion is misguided and misrepresenting the younger generation. Increasing the retirement age may seem like a practical idea on the surface, but in reality, it creates long-term consequences that primarily affect young people who are trying to enter or progress within the workforce. We recognise and appreciate the decades of service and knowledge that senior professionals bring. There is no denying that they have helped build the industries and institutions we rely on today. However, there is a time for everyone to contribute and a time to step aside so others can lead. Keeping older workers in the same positions for longer will only reduce opportunities for career growth among the younger workforce. Today's economy is driven by adaptability, digital literacy and innovation. These qualities are often strongest among younger professionals who have been trained with current technologies, tools and thinking. If older workers remain in positions of leadership or influence without rotation, organisations risk becoming stagnant. Opportunities for promotion disappear. Entry-level positions remain blocked. Graduates are left unemployed or underemployed despite being ready and eager to work. This creates a bottleneck in the system. Middle managers cannot move up. Fresh graduates cannot get in. It affects the entire professional pipeline. Over time, this discourages ambition, creates workplace resentment and forces many to seek employment overseas or in industries that do not match their qualifications. The issue also reflects deeper social concerns. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, birth rates among younger Malaysians have dropped by 11 per cent. Young people are postponing marriage and parenthood. Financial insecurity, stagnant wages and unaffordable housing all play a part. Many of us cannot even afford to think about sex, let alone plan for a family. When the cost of living rises but wages remain low, and jobs are scarce because older workers are not retiring, how can young adults be expected to build stable lives? We must also recognise that energy levels and productivity do not stay the same with age. While some people may remain mentally sharp at 65 and beyond, others may struggle to meet the demands of a fast-changing professional environment. Holding on to roles longer than necessary can also negatively affect efficiency and the overall growth of organisations. It may even compromise the wellbeing of those who feel pressured to continue working when they would prefer to retire. A better solution would be to offer more flexible arrangements. Senior workers who wish to continue contributing can take on part-time roles, consultancy positions or serve as mentors to younger employees. This allows them to share their experience while making room for fresh perspectives and leadership. This principle of renewal should also apply to politics. If we believe that people beyond 60 are still capable of contributing, then we should also ask whether those same individuals should continue to hold political office. Malaysia must start creating more space for new leaders. Parliamentary and state seats should not be held for life. We must begin to ask the uncomfortable question. How did we allow our nation to be governed by a nonagenarian a few years ago? Age does not automatically disqualify a person from leadership. But we must accept that younger leaders bring different ideas, experiences and energy that are more aligned with the current challenges we face. Holding on to power and refusing to transition leadership creates a disconnect between governance and the people it is meant to serve. It is contradictory to raise the retirement age in the workforce while keeping political positions tightly held by the same individuals year after year. Change requires new faces. A country cannot move forward if it clings to the past. Extending the retirement age might offer short-term financial relief by postponing pension payments. But it will likely deepen youth unemployment and make young people feel that they have no stake in the future of their own country. This is not sustainable. We must find a balanced and fair way forward. Let those who have served the nation with dignity enjoy their retirement. Let them remain involved if they wish, but not at the expense of the next generation's progress. We need policies that support young people's growth while still respecting the contributions of those who came before them. A nation that refuses to let go is a nation that stops moving. If we truly care about shared prosperity, we must ensure shared opportunity. That starts with making space for new leadership, new ideas and new energy. Muhammad Naim Muhamad Ali, PhD, also known by the moniker Naim Leigh, is a Communication and Media Studies lecturer at the University of Wollongong Malaysia. The views expressed in this article are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Sinar Daily.
Focus Malaysia
4 days ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Azalina: Online safety act to be enforced soon
MALAYSIA is set to enforce the Online Safety Act 2024 soon following its full passage through Parliament and Royal Assent. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, said the Act has already been gazetted and is now awaiting the official enforcement date to be signed by Communications Minister, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. She said the law will give authorities greater powers to regulate digital platforms and bolster safeguards, particularly to protect children from online harm. Azalina said the law will come into force as soon as Fahmi signs the enforcement order, enabling the government to act swiftly in removing unlawful content. Under the Act, platform providers will also be required to uphold a defined duty of care. 'After that, there will be a joint council (Online Safety Committee) to define online harms,' she said at a press conference after the monthly assembly of the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) and launch of the National Legal Academy (APN). Azalina said that while the Online Safety Act centres on platform regulation and digital responsibility, any matter involving children must also be viewed through the lens of the Child Act 2001. On a separate note, she stressed the urgent need for stronger legal frameworks to ensure corporate accountability, particularly in cases involving public safety and transport negligence. Citing the recent bus crash that claimed the lives of 15 UPSI students, Azalina called for policy-level discussions on corporate liability, including the potential introduction of corporate manslaughter laws. 'How can a company run a business and not be held responsible? Take the example of what happened with Air India. 'If something goes wrong mechanically, it should not be enough to just pay out insurance. Someone must be held accountable,' she stressed. ‒ June 16, 2025 Main image: Bernama
Sinar Daily
4 days ago
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Malaysia mulls drafting AI-focused laws
Malaysia has no specific laws focused on AI because, unlike traditional technologies, AI operates on an entirely different platform. 16 Jun 2025 03:13pm Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. Bernama FILE PIX BANGI - Malaysia is studying to develop artificial intelligence (AI) legislation to address legal complexities in the digital age, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. Azalina said she has written to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo to propose a meeting between the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) and the Digital Ministry to initiate a discussion on drafting new AI laws. "I have written to the Digital Minister Gobind about looking into more AI (specific) laws for our country. There should be a meeting between BHEUU and the Digital Ministry," she said. Azalina was speaking at a press conference after BHEUU's monthly assembly and the launch of the National Legal Academy (APN) here today. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. Bernama FILE PIX She said Malaysia has no specific laws focused on AI because, unlike traditional technologies, AI operates on an entirely different platform. Azalina said that so far, the only comprehensive AI legislation in the world is the European Union's AI Act, which sets out clear definitions, responsibilities and categories of AI risks. Azalina also highlighted Malaysia's progress in judicial digitalisation, including initiatives like voice-to-text systems and online filings. "We want the court to be more efficient. So the court is taking in more digital documents, but we want more to be done. We want it to apply not only in Putrajaya but also elsewhere, especially at district courts," she added. - BERNAMA
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
AI law needed to counter digital misuse
KUALA LUMPUR: A law on artificial intelligence (AI) is necessary to counter digital misuse, say cybersecurity experts. They said such laws, however, should ensure that humans remain the primary decision-makers, with the ability to step in, override decisions, or take control if an AI system makes a mistake. Universiti Malaya Department of Computer System and Technology professor, Prof Dr Ainuddin Wahid Abdul Wahab, said strong AI laws are also needed given the speed at which AI is developing and its growing integration into daily life. He said that without proper legislation, there is a significant risk of digital mishaps, abuse, and harm, including the proliferation of fake content such as images, videos, and documents, as well as cybersecurity threats. "AI helps a lot in daily tasks, but it can also be used by malicious actors to launch highly advanced cyberattacks, making traditional cybersecurity measures insufficient. "A compromised AI system itself could pose a major national security risk. "Another issue is how AI is trained. "There is a risk of biased data being used. "For example, if the training sample is not sufficiently balanced, an AI system used in hiring might unintentionally discriminate against certain demographic groups. "Similarly, an AI used in the judicial system might lead to harsher sentences for certain communities," he said when contacted. Earlier today, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said Malaysia needs an artificial intelligence law in light of emerging threats. She said she has written to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo on the need to look into AI legislation. Ainuddin said that when drafting the Bill, he proposed the inclusion of a dedicated body to monitor AI, comprising experts in AI and law, or agencies such as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and CyberSecurity Malaysia, to ensure compliance, investigate issues, and impose penalties on non-compliant companies. "Humans must remain the main actors. "For critical AI systems, there should always be a way for a human to step in, override decisions, or take control if the AI makes a mistake or if human judgment is necessary," he said. He said there should also be clear accountability in the event of an incident. "Who is responsible? Is it the company that created the AI tool, the company that uses it, or the end-user?" he said. Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Malaysia Cybersecurity Research Centre director Prof Dr Selvakumar Manickam said proactive legislation is essential to manage risks, prevent misuse, and build public trust in emerging technologies. He said that without a dedicated legal framework, Malaysia risks facing serious challenges from AI-driven threats such as deepfakes and algorithmic bias, which could leave citizens vulnerable and blur lines of accountability. "Legislation must mandate that security and privacy are engineered into AI systems and the data processes that build them, starting from the design phase. "These systems should only be deployed after meeting critical requirements for safety and transparency. "The law must strongly require human oversight as a non-negotiable component of any high-risk system, ensuring final decisions remain with humans and establishing clear lines of accountability enforced by a properly empowered regulator," he said.
