GEORGE TOWN: The government will form a new task force to oversee the country’s cybersecurity, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said the task force would comprise multiple agencies, including the police, and would come under the purview of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
“This task force will create a new set of regulations, which we will present later,” he told a press conference after the opening of the Kebun Bunga service centre here yesterday.
Saifuddin Nasution said the new regulations were meant to protect Malaysia’s cyberspace.
He said the move was in response to the frequency of cybercrimes, adding that the matter was discussed regularly in Cabinet meetings.
When asked when the task force would be finalised, he said the Cabinet would need two to three sessions of Parliament meetings next year before it is formed.
“The Attorney General’s Chambers is looking into the drafting of legislation regarding the new cybersecurity task force,” he said.
On the conflict in the Middle East, Saifuddin Nasution said the police were increasing the level of readiness at national borders.
He said the police were collaborating closely with all neighbouring countries in terms of intelligence sharing.
“While we enforce border controls, initial status reports obtained indicate that everything is under control.
“There are no signs that can lead to conclusions that there are threats to our national security,” he said following a briefing on national security by the police recently.
Saifuddin Nasution said with the situation in Gaza, it was important for him to alert the people to possible threats and the steps taken by police to ensure security and border safety.
Earlier, he attended Kebun Bunga assemblyman Lee Boon Heng service centre’s official opening ceremony at Mount Erskine.
During the event, he handed over 100 Deepavali food packs to policemen and residents in the constituency.
Also present were state police chief Comm Datuk Khaw Kok Chin, George Town acting OCPD Supt V. Saravanan, and local community leaders.
