Cyber Security Bill 2026 aims to strengthen Malaysia’s digital defences, fill legal gaps, and combat hacking, deepfakes, and cyber fraud
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has been urged to introduce mandatory whipping for offenders responsible for creating and distributing pornographic content manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology.
Datuk Abdul Khalib Abdullah (PN-Rompin) said harsher penalties should be implemented immediately, given the severe psychological impact and long-term trauma suffered by victims.
“The proposed penalty of a fine or five years’ imprisonment should be increased. Rompin proposes mandatory whipping for perpetrators of pornographic deepfakes because the psychological harm inflicted on victims can result in lifelong trauma,” he said when debating the Cybercrimes Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He also proposed the establishment of a national facial recognition system integrated with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to enable swift action, including the blocking of fake social media accounts used to steal identities.
The issue of pornographic deepfakes was also raised by Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH-Bukit Bendera), who called for emergency blocking orders to be enforced immediately to compel social media platform operators to remove such content within hours, particularly when it involves children.
“No child should have to plead on the internet for their image to be taken down. Our country must act and move faster than the algorithm,” she said.
Meanwhile, Datuk Siti Aminah Aching (BN-Beaufort) proposed an automatic inter-agency integration mechanism following the lodging of a police report to prevent scam victims from being burdened by multiple layers of complaint referrals.
“The people do not want to see overlapping roles or delays in enforcement. They want swift, coordinated and effective action once a report is lodged,” she said, calling for follow-up action by the police, the MCMC and the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) to be streamlined.
