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The Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia needs comprehensive AI-focused laws
BANGI: Malaysia must introduce dedicated legislation to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) and mitigate its associated risks, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said yesterday. Speaking after her ministry's monthly assembly and the launch of the National Legal Academy, Azalina confirmed she had formally written to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo to initiate discussions on developing AI-specific laws. 'I've proposed a meeting between the Legal Affairs Division and the Digital Ministry to explore a legislative framework for AI,' she said. Azalina stressed that AI operates on a fundamentally different paradigm from conventional technologies and cannot be governed under existing legal frameworks. She pointed to the European Union's AI Act – the world's first comprehensive AI legislation – as a model Malaysia could study and adapt to local needs. 'We must look at global frameworks like the EU's AI Act, which categorises risks and defines responsibilities, to see how they can inform Malaysia's approach,' she said. She also highlighted broader efforts to digitise the judicial system, including the use of voice-to-text transcription and online filing, noting that such systems must extend beyond Putrajaya to district courts nationwide. Gobind had earlier announced that a detailed proposal on Malaysia's AI regulatory roadmap, currently being finalised by the National Artificial Intelligence Office, would be ready by the end of June. The roadmap may include new legislation, regulatory rules or standard-setting frameworks. Azalina also called for stronger corporate accountability laws, citing the recent fatal bus crash in Gerik that claimed 15 lives. 'We need serious policy discussions around corporate negligence and potential laws on corporate manslaughter, especially when public safety is compromised,' she said. Separately, she confirmed that the Online Safety Act 2024 – which has been gazetted – is awaiting its enforcement date. The Act will come into effect once Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil signs the enforcement order. Once in force, the law will allow for immediate regulatory action against harmful online content and introduce a statutory duty of care on platform providers. An online safety committee will also be formed to define and classify online harms, although child-related matters will remain governed under the Child Act 2001. Azalina confirmed she had formally written to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo to initiate discussions on developing AI-specific laws. – Amirul Syafiq/theSun
The Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Azalina urges AI laws, cites EU model as reference
BANGI: Malaysia must introduce dedicated legislation to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) and mitigate its associated risks, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said yesterday. Speaking after her ministry's monthly assembly and the launch of the National Legal Academy, Azalina confirmed she had formally written to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo to initiate discussions on developing AI-specific laws. 'I've proposed a meeting between the Legal Affairs Division and the Digital Ministry to explore a legislative framework for AI,' she said. Azalina stressed that AI operates on a fundamentally different paradigm from conventional technologies and cannot be governed under existing legal frameworks. She pointed to the European Union's AI Act – the world's first comprehensive AI legislation – as a model Malaysia could study and adapt to local needs. 'We must look at global frameworks like the EU's AI Act, which categorises risks and defines responsibilities, to see how they can inform Malaysia's approach,' she said. She also highlighted broader efforts to digitise the judicial system, including the use of voice-to-text transcription and online filing, noting that such systems must extend beyond Putrajaya to district courts nationwide. Gobind had earlier announced that a detailed proposal on Malaysia's AI regulatory roadmap, currently being finalised by the National Artificial Intelligence Office, would be ready by the end of June. The roadmap may include new legislation, regulatory rules or standard-setting frameworks. Azalina also called for stronger corporate accountability laws, citing the recent fatal bus crash in Gerik that claimed 15 lives. 'We need serious policy discussions around corporate negligence and potential laws on corporate manslaughter, especially when public safety is compromised,' she said. Separately, she confirmed that the Online Safety Act 2024 – which has been gazetted – is awaiting its enforcement date. The Act will come into effect once Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil signs the enforcement order. Once in force, the law will allow for immediate regulatory action against harmful online content and introduce a statutory duty of care on platform providers. An online safety committee will also be formed to define and classify online harms, although child-related matters will remain governed under the Child Act 2001. Azalina confirmed she had formally written to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo to initiate discussions on developing AI-specific laws. – Amirul Syafiq/theSun
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
5 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
5 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.
