GEORGE TOWN: The Ministry of Communications is actively working to create a safer digital environment in this country, including taking significant steps through amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588), said Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching. She acknowledged that while artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to drive remarkable advancements, it can also be misused for privacy invasions, fraud, or the spread of harmful content.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, last Monday, amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 were tabled in Parliament, with debates expected to commence this coming Monday. These amendments aim to introduce tougher penalties for crimes such as child exploitation and fraud, including online scams, as highlighted by Deputy Minister Teo in her speech at the launch of NationGate’s latest AI server. The event was attended by several notable figures, including Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong, Penang Local Government, T
own, Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye, and NationGate Holdings Berhad managing director Datuk Ooi Eng Leong.
In her address, Teo also emphasized the ministry’s plans to introduce the Online Safety Bill, which seeks to tackle challenges such as cyberbullying and other online threats. This initiative, along with a regulatory framework for social media and internet messaging services set to be enforced on January 1, 2025, will hold platforms like Meta, TikTok, and X accountable for user safety, child protection, and limiting harmful content.
Despite these legislative efforts, the deputy minister stressed the necessity for collective action to ensure AI and the internet are used ethically and responsibly by governments, corporations, and individuals. Legislation alone, she noted, is insufficient to transform these technologies into forces for good.
Discussing NationGate’s latest AI server, Teo highlighted its significance in strengthening Malaysia’s digital economy. She pointed out that Johor
has attracted over 50 data centre projects in the past two years, including significant investments from ByteDance and Microsoft. This has resulted in Johor’s data centre capacity increasing by 100 times over five years, creating over 40,000 jobs. Teo concluded by asserting Malaysia’s strategic advantages in attracting technology investments, positioning the country ahead of regional counterparts.