Online Safety Bill 2024 in people's interest, especially children: Zahid

The Online Safety Bill which is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in October is comprehensive and takes into account cyber crimes that may occur in the future.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the new act was enacted in the interests of all Malaysians, especially children who use the internet as a medium of daily communication.

“In this regard, we are very concerned about victims of bullying, victims of scams and of course, this act will look at some aspects in terms of crimes that may not happen now but there are certain things we project may happen in the coming decades,” he said.

He spoke to reporters after launching the International Legal Conference on Online Harms 2024.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said and Spanish Ambassador to Malaysia Jose Luis Pardo were in attendance.

Zahid said the Attorney-General’s Chambers will draft the bill to be brought to the cabinet for approval before being presented in the Dewan Rakyat in October.

Azalina was previously reported to have said she would table the bill, while the implementation and enforcement are under the Communications Ministry through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.

Mental health support

Earlier in his keynote address, Zahid, who chairs the National Social Council, said the council is dedicated to fostering values and building human capacity to promote social cohesion, stability and the well-being of a developed and stable Malaysian society.

He said the council is actively addressing key issues such as mental health support through initiatives like the Talian Heal (Mental Health Crisis Assistance) crisis hotline, which provides crucial assistance to those in need.

“Furthermore, we are intensifying our efforts to combat the growing threat of online scams, which have become more prevalent as people spend more time in the digital space.

“These combined efforts are part of our broader commitment to ensuring that the benefits of technology are harnessed responsibly and that the social fabric of our nation remains strong and resilient in the face of these new challenges,” he said.

Citing the tragic death of cyberbullying victim Rajeswary Appahu, known online as Esha, he said the younger generation is exposed to risks that previous generations never encountered such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content and online predators.

Zahid said creating a secure digital environment that protects children and helps families manage online risks, is a responsibility shared by all.

- Bernama

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