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PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has called for an Interpol-style Asean cybercrime task force to facilitate real-time intelligence exchange and regional cooperation in effectively combating digital threats.
Speaking at the Asia International Security Summit and Expo 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the rapid expansion of the digital economy demanded adaptive security frameworks.
He added that cybercriminals were exploiting artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and the dark web to launch sophisticated attacks.
“While discussions are valuable, execution is imperative. I urge all stakeholders – governments, law enforcement agencies, and industry leaders – to take concrete action in certain key areas.
“First, we must implement AI-driven predictive policing and real-time urban surveillance to detect and prevent security threats proactively,” Bernama reported him as saying.
Zahid also called for the establishment of a national blockchain-based identity verification system, which he said would be crucial to safeguarding online transactions and mitigating identity fraud.
He likewise called for the strengthening of public-private partnerships and collaboration between governments, corporations, and tech firms to improve cybersecurity and intelligence-sharing capabilities.
He said that Malaysia, as the chair of Asean this year, remained committed to building a safe, resilient, and cooperative security ecosystem not just for the nation, but for the region and beyond.
He also highlighted Malaysia’s contributions to regional security frameworks, including its active role in Aseanapol and Interpol, which he said had been instrumental in disrupting transnational criminal syndicates.
He noted that at the Asean Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime, Malaysia had reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the SOMTC + China Work Plan, which aims to enhance intelligence-sharing networks and coordinate responses to cyber threats and other illegal activities.
“Security partnerships with our Asean neighbours are vital, and we must ensure that our intelligence networks evolve alongside emerging security threats,” he said.
He also encouraged global players to look into modern policing technologies and advanced equipment.
Also present at today’s event were home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain.
Over the past year, Malaysia reported over RM1.22 billion in financial losses due to cybercrime, along with millions of detected cyber threats.