Prof. Ainuddin Wahid Abdul Wahab, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Universiti Malaya.
Prof. Dr. Ainuddin Wahid Abdul Wahab of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Universiti Malaya, is featured in the South China Morning Post on 21 July 2026 in the article "Malaysia Cracks Down on Cybercrime with New Rules for Digital Space: 'Necessary Reset'", providing expert analysis of Malaysia's Cybercrimes Bill 2026.
Replacing a 1997-Era Law
The Cybercrimes Bill 2026, which has passed both houses of Parliament and awaits royal assent, replaces the Computer Crimes Act 1997. It arrives amid a surge in online crime: 8,014 online fraud charges were filed between January and May 2026, already exceeding 2025's annual total of 6,140.
Prof. Ainuddin explains that the bill's 61 clauses create specific offences for crimes not adequately covered by the 1997 Act, including online fraud, identity theft, unauthorised access to computer systems, AI-generated deepfakes, and the dissemination of non-consensual intimate images.
From a Single-Door Lock to a Full Alarm System
"Think of it like upgrading from a single-door lock to a full alarm system with motion sensors. It does not just block one type of break-in. It covers many new entry points at once," he tells the SCMP.
Closing the Overseas Loophole
The bill's extraterritorial provisions will enable Malaysian authorities to pursue cases involving criminals operating abroad, closing a loophole that previously allowed offenders to evade punishment simply by working outside the country. Prof. Ainuddin also welcomes provisions improving coordination between the National Cyber Security Agency, the police's Commercial Crime Investigation Department, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, and Bank Negara Malaysia.
The full article, written by Ushar Daniele and also featuring commentary from other Malaysian cybersecurity and legal experts, is available at the South China Morning Post.
The feature is part of CSNET's continued engagement with regional and international media on cybersecurity policy and digital safety.