KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 2): Communication Minister Fahmi Fadzil on Monday tabled the Communication and Multimedia (Amendments) Bill 2024 for its first reading in Dewan Rakyat.

The bill aims to update the current cyber laws, which were enacted 26 years ago, to address growing online threats arising from technological advancements.

Among notable revisions to the bill is the substitution of the phrase “or harass another person” with “harass or commit an offence involving fraud or dishonesty against any person” under Subsection 233(1), introducing a new element of offence.

Clause 92 proposes the introduction of a new section, 233a, which would prohibit individuals from sending, causing to be sent, or authorising the sending of unsolicited commercial electronic messages.

Additionally, Clause 106 seeks to amend Section 248 to empower an authorised officer to enter premises without a warrant in specific circumstances outlined in the section. Currently, only a police officer not below the rank of an inspector is authorised to enter premises without a warrant.

Clause 112, meanwhile, proposes the introduction of a new section, 252b, to empower a police officer or authorised officer to require any person in control of a communications system to disclose communications data in a specified manner.

Fahmi also presented the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) (Amendment) Bill 2024 for its first reading in Dewan Rakyat.

This bill proposes changes to the composition and functions of the MCMC.

Under the bill, Clause 5 proposes an amendment to Section 16 of Act 589 to expand the commission’s functions, including reviewing or auditing information provided by licensees, and auditing the activities of licensees or service providers as determined by the commission.

Clause 2 seeks to amend Section 3 of Act 589 to introduce new definitions for “chief executive officer” and “communications system”, while amending the existing definition of “chairman”.

In addition, Clause 13 seeks to amend Section 45 to increase the contract value limit that the commission can enter into without requiring the approval of the minister, or the concurrence of the finance minister, from RM5 million to RM10 million.

According to Fahmi, the amendments to both bills are expected to be passed during this parliamentary session, which ends on Dec 12.

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