COMMENT | Article 19, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), and Sinar Project are concerned about the threat posed by the Malaysian Cybercrimes Bill 2026 to the right to freedom of expression online, as well as to media, journalists, and broadcast organisations in Malaysia.

Although Malaysia is a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, the current bill does little to meet the convention’s human rights safeguards and procedural guarantees.

Importantly, Article 6 of the Cybercrime Convention makes clear that states parties to the convention shall ensure that the implementation of their obligations under this convention is consistent with their obligations under international human rights law.

The Malaysian Cybercrimes Bill fails to provide human rights safeguards or to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially freedom of expression and the right to privacy.

On June 22, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi tabled the Cybercrime Bill 2026 for first reading in Parliament. The bill covers offences including identity theft, computer-related fraud and forgery, transmission of manipulated content, and dissemination of intimate images. It will replace the Computer Crimes Act 1997.

We are very concerned about the bill, as it could serve as a tool for...