AI LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK TO BE PRESENTED TO CABINET IN JUNE 2026 - GOBIND

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- The Artificial Intelligence (AI) legislative framework is expected to be presented to the Cabinet in June next year, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.

He said the framework was drafted based on four main components: matters that do not require legislation, matters that can be addressed through adequate standards or methods, elements that can be handled through regulations, and aspects that require the enactment of specific legislation.

“We will divide it into certain aspects because we also need to obtain input from the industry, to get their opinions. We do not want laws that limit innovation. At the same time, we also want to ensure that technology can develop in the country.

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“I hope that by June we can present the framework, including the legislative structure and the agencies required for enforcement and regulation,” he said during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was replying to a supplementary question from Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas), who wanted to know whether the government had set the scope of regulation for specific laws related to AI, including mandatory watermarking requirements and algorithm audits.

Responding to a supplementary question from Roy Angau Gingkoi (GPS-Lubok Antu) on measures to ensure the public becomes wise users of AI, Gobind said the government is strengthening efforts to raise public literacy in the use of AI platforms, including ensuring that users are not easily influenced by suggestions or information generated by chatbots.

He said the initiative is being implemented through various awareness and education programmes by CyberSecurity Malaysia, which aims to produce AI users who are cautious, rational and able to assess digital security risks more maturely.

Responding to Roy Angau's original question on the regulatory and ethical aspects of the use of AI, including chatbots and video generation, Gobind said the government is reviewing several key laws to ensure they align with technological development, including the Evidence Act 1950 and the Contracts Act 1950.

He said the move is to strengthen the existing legal framework, alongside the development of the AI ​​Governance Bill (RUU), which aims to address risks and ensure responsible governance across all sectors.

To a separate question, Gobind said the government has established an AI Act Development Committee to draft specific laws to control the misuse of the technology, including risks of deepfakes and information manipulation, ahead of the next General Election (GE).

He said the move is part of the government's layered approach covering legal aspects, content monitoring and public awareness to preserve social harmony as AI usage grows rapidly.

According to him, strengthening of existing laws also involves the implementation of the Cyber ​​Security Act 2024, the Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2024 and the Online Safety Act 2024.

“The National Cyber ​​Security Agency (NACSA) is also drafting a Cybercrime Bill to replace the Computer Crime Act 1997,” he said in response to a question from Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin) on efforts to curb the misuse of AI ahead of the GE.

In terms of monitoring, Gobind said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) was using the provisions of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 to detect the spread of false information, harmful content and misuse of technology such as deepfakes, which often rears ahead of elections.

Responding to a supplementary question from Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir (PN-Setiu) on whether the existing National Guidelines on AI Governance were sufficient to address the misuse of AI, he said the ministry is working with local universities to develop an application to verify the authenticity of photos (images) and videos, which would form the basis for setting new security standards.

-- BERNAMA