MALAYSIA Trends and Developments Contributed by: Janet Toh, Boo Cheng Xuan and Yee Yong Xuan, Shearn Delamore & Co.
TMT in Malaysia The last year marked a transformative chapter for Malaysia, as significant legal developments reshaped the technology, media and telecom - munications (TMT) landscape. These changes underscore the nation’s progress in adapting to the rapidly evolving digital era and addressing the complex regulatory challenges of modern technology. Among the key legislative introductions were the Cyber Security Act 2024, the Online Safety Bill 2024, the Data Sharing Act 2025, and the Malay - sian Media Council Bill 2024. Amendments were also proposed to existing laws such as the Per - sonal Data Protection Act 2010, the Communi - cations and Multimedia Act 1998, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998, and the Penal Code. Additionally, updates to the Communications and Multimedia (Licensing) Regulations 2000 introduced licens - ing requirements for social media and internet messaging service providers. To further enhance digital governance, Malaysia launched the National Guidelines on AI Govern - ance & Ethics, encouraging responsible use of AI. On 12 December 2024, Malaysia launched the National Artificial Intelligence Office. This Office is set to play a pivotal role in shaping AI- related policies, centralising AI governance and addressing regulatory issues. This move posi - tions Malaysia as a key player in AI governance, with the Office expected to serve as a focal agency. While these legal developments have profound implications for the ICT sector, their impact extends across industries, reinforced by laws such as the Cyber Security Act 2024 and
amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act 2010, both designed to safeguard data and bolster cybersecurity nationwide. This chapter reviews these pivotal develop - ments, presented in a generally reverse chrono - logical order, highlighting their impact on Malay - sia’s TMT and ICT legal landscape. Introduction of Malaysian Media Council Bill 2024 The Malaysian Media Council Bill 2024, which aims to establish the Malaysian Media Council, was tabled for its first reading at the Dewan Raky - at on 12 December 2024 and was subsequently passed on 26 February 2025. The proposed leg - islation seeks to empower the Malaysian Media Council to set standards and establish a code of conduct for media practitioners and independ - ent media practitioners in accordance with the standards of ethical and responsible journalism. The Malaysian Media Council Bill 2024 will next be tabled for reading at the Dewan Negara. Introduction of the Data Sharing Act 2025 Passed by parliament in December 2024 and published in the Federal Gazette on 20 Febru - ary 2025, the Data Sharing Act 2025 represents a significant milestone in fostering collaboration and improving data governance within the pub - lic sector. By facilitating data sharing between federal government agencies, the Data Shar - ing Act 2025 aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of public service delivery. The Data Sharing Act 2025 focuses on enabling the sharing of data controlled by one public sector agency with another. A “public sector agency” is defined as (i) the gov - ernment agency in charge of the public services under Article 132(1) of the Federal Constitution, excluding joint public services and State pub -
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