Malaysians Allowed To Take Legal Action Against Cybercriminals Overseas
Malaysians who are or have been victims of cybercriminals operating overseas are able to take legal action against those nefarious actors. Specifically, they could take action if the offences involved Malaysian systems or if the victims are Malaysian citizens. Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister, explained in a written reply on the […] The post Malaysians Allowed To Take Legal…
Malaysians who have fallen victim to cybercriminals who operate outside the country can now take legal action against these offenders. This is possible if the cybercrime has affected Malaysian systems or if the victims are Malaysian citizens, as explained by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on the Parliament website.
The Cyber Crime Bill 2026, which came into effect on 1 July 2026, replaces the outdated Computer Crimes Act 1997 and provides the necessary legal framework to tackle modern threats like AI-driven scams, deepfakes, identity theft, and attacks on critical infrastructure. Clause 2 of the bill, known as the Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction, expands Malaysian jurisdiction beyond its borders, allowing Malaysians to prosecute foreign cybercriminals if their actions directly impact the country's infrastructure or citizens.
To facilitate swift action against cybercrime syndicates, the bill also grants investigative powers under Clauses 38 through 41, which include preservation and disclosure of data, collection of traffic data, and interception of communications, all subject to prescribed safeguards.
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