Digital minister says Malaysia’s draft AI Governance Bill complete, hopes to table it by Q1 2027

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 10 — The draft Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Bill for Malaysia has been finalized and will be presented to the Cabinet, announced Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. The government is currently establishing the necessary framework to enforce the proposed legislation. Gobind expressed hope that the Bill would be tabled this quarter or in the first quarter of next year.

This marks a significant advancement, as the Bill has progressed past the drafting and public consultation stages previously discussed.

According to Gobind, the government must set up the agencies and administrative structure required to monitor compliance and enforce the law before it becomes effective. He emphasized the need for entities responsible for ensuring compliance, investigating problems, and enforcing the law once the Bill is enacted. The proposed legislation will be part of a broader AI governance framework that includes technical standards, regulations, and laws.

Gobind clarified that the AI governance process extends beyond the Bill, encompassing standards, regulations, and laws. Standards would address matters involving technology developers and users, while regulations would handle issues requiring closer oversight without the need for specific legislation. Regulations enable the government to respond swiftly to evolving AI technology and emerging challenges.

Matters requiring specific legal provisions would be addressed through the Bill, which must be tabled in Parliament. Gobind also introduced AI Malaysia as part of preparations for the wider governance framework and mentioned the establishment of a standards center last month, which has initiated collaboration with SIRIM and other organizations.