Digital trust is the cornerstone of a modern digital society. As Malaysia digitally transforms its government, economy, and communities, ensuring trust in these systems is essential.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said this requires a comprehensive approach built on three key pillars: framework, infrastructure, and education.
Speaking at the launch of the Asean 5G & Operational Technology (5GOT) Security Summit 2025, he said the summit’s mission is to define actionable approaches to implementing digital trust across the region’s digital services and to establish shared frameworks and guidelines for 5GOT security within Asean.
“Over the next three days, we aim to build a regional cyber ecosystem through public-private partnerships that foster innovation and talent development. Most importantly, we hope to raise awareness and a sense of urgency among key stakeholders in securing our digital future,” said Gobind.
“Let this summit be the catalyst for innovative solutions, meaningful collaborations, and strengthened regional resilience. We have 32 experts from 14 countries with us.
“I encourage all of you to engage with them, seek their insights, and learn from their experiences in building and sustaining digital trust.”
He described cybersecurity as an “absolutely critical topic”, particularly as cyber threats grow in frequency and severity.
In 2024, CyberSecurity Malaysia recorded over 6,000 cyber incidents, including fraud, intrusions, and malicious code. Financial losses exceeded RM1.22 billion due to cybercrime.
“But such episodes are not exclusive to Malaysia. The world is facing this massive threat too, resulting in trillions of dollars in losses annually,” said Gobind.
He said Malaysia has taken decisive steps to strengthen its cybersecurity landscape. The Cyber Security Act 2024, which came into force on Aug 26, empowers the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA) to oversee compliance, coordinate across sectors, and protect the country’s National Critical Information Infrastructures (NCIIs).
A new Cybercrime Bill, expected to be tabled in Parliament this October, aims to replace outdated legislation and equip authorities with the tools needed to combat modern cyber threats effectively.
Malaysia is also expanding its global footprint. On April 9, the Cabinet approved accession to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, and the country is preparing to sign the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi this October.
“These actions reflect Malaysia’s commitment to international norms and collaborative efforts in addressing cybercrime,” Gobind added.
The Asean 5GOT Security Summit 2025 is jointly organised by Digital Nasional Berhad and CyberSecurity Malaysia, with support from regional and international partners.
The summit will feature high-level conference tracks, live cyber incident simulations, innovation pitching sessions, and Asean’s first cybersecurity expo focused on operational technology.
