KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 3): Malaysia is among potential targets of cyberattacks amid the country’s growing digital infrastructure and positions on international issues, particularly Palestine and Gaza, the government warned.

However, not all information about the threats or their extent could be disclosed publicly, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on Tuesday and proposed a special closed-door briefing by the National Security Council for all lawmakers within the next one or two days.

“I believe this is very important, given the information received yesterday afternoon and again this morning from the home minister,” Anwar told the Dewan Rakyat during the prime minister’s questions session. “We must not take this lightly.”

The warning followed a special National Security Council meeting on Monday to assess hybrid, digital and cyberthreats, and developments in the Middle East and political changes in Europe that could affect Malaysia.

Later on Tuesday, the chief secretary to the government would chair a meeting with relevant departments, while the Bank Negara Malaysia governor would convene a special meeting with financial institutions.

The measures include tighter coordination between ministries, agencies and security forces, alongside stronger protection for strategic sectors such as energy, transport, finance and food supply.

“Do not assume these threats are far removed from us. What has happened in Europe, America and Japan has shaken those countries,” Anwar said, noting that the council had advised him to alert Parliament and the public, while the government strengthens preparedness for possible disruptions.

He did not identify the suspected attackers, their targets, or the nature of the threat.

Anwar's warning comes on the heels of incidents affecting numerous services worldwide. Among others, a cyberattack had forced Belgium to shut its national tax portal, while a breach of Denmark’s central population register had affected identification records involving nearly nine million people.

In the US, the Federal Election Commission’s electronic filing system had been disrupted for 41 hours ahead of the elections. In Japan, a breach of government networks had exposed the personal records of more than 100,000 police personnel, disrupting police duties in several districts.

The government is also monitoring tensions in the Middle East, developments in Yemen and the Red Sea, and security threats in Europe, Anwar added.

For more Parliament stories, click here.