[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":14},["ShallowReactive",2],{"artikel-en-berita-malaysia-asean-keselamatan-siber-ai":3},{"slug":4,"lang":5,"title":6,"description":7,"date":8,"updated":9,"topic":10,"product":9,"cover":11,"readMin":12,"html":13},"berita-malaysia-asean-keselamatan-siber-ai","en","Malaysia calls for ASEAN cooperation on AI-driven cyber threats","On October 14, 2026, NACSA urged ASEAN members to cooperate against AI-driven cyber threats. Singapore added S$30 million for ASCCE, and Malaysia leads the 2026-2030 strategy.","2026-10-19",null,"berita","\u002Fimages\u002Fartikel\u002Fberita-malaysia-asean-keselamatan-siber-ai.webp",4,"\u003Cp>On October 14, 2026, Malaysia urged ASEAN members to cooperate more closely against increasingly sophisticated cybersecurity threats driven by AI. The call came from the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA), at the 11th ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Cybersecurity (AMCC) conference in Singapore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>NACSA chief executive Dr Megat Zuhairy Megat Tajuddin said no country could go it alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>1. What Malaysia proposed\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Speaking to Bernama on the sidelines of the Singapore International Cyber Week (SICW), Megat Zuhairy said regional cooperation would keep ASEAN from becoming an attractive target for cybercriminals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He admitted something government officials rarely say openly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>"Most of us still have not found a clear solution to that problem. I think we all agree that we need to work together and find a solution collectively."\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>The point: AI does raise productivity, but the sophistication of threats emerging from it is now a primary concern. ASEAN does not yet have a complete answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>2. Singapore adds S$30 million\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>At the opening ceremony of the 11th AMCC, Singapore announced an additional commitment of S$30 million (roughly RM95.7 million) over five years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The money goes to the ASEAN-Singapore Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (ASCCE), strengthening capacity building at regional and international level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Megat Zuhairy said the allocation complements information-sharing and capacity-building efforts, which are core thrusts of the ASEAN Cybersecurity Cooperation Strategy 2026-2030. Malaysia leads that strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It also aligns with the ASEAN CERT action plan and existing cooperation with dialogue partners such as Japan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>3. Focus on practical solutions, not theory\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>One notable line from Megat Zuhairy: training programmes under the new funding should not focus on theoretical knowledge alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wants emphasis on pragmatic solutions for current cyber defence mechanisms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>"The main focus must be on implementing practical measures to prevent cyber threats and protect the region as a whole."\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>That is an implicit critique of regional cybersecurity programmes that have so far produced more workshops and certificates than operational change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>4. Context: what Malaysia is doing domestically\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>The Singapore appeal came in the same month Malaysia announced Budget 2027 with a strong AI focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the measures:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>RM30 million MDEC fund\u003C\u002Fstrong> to help 4,000 SMEs adopt AI and automation\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>100,000 free AI subscriptions\u003C\u002Fstrong> for young people next year\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>A \u003Cstrong>1 NADI 1 Prompt Engineer\u003C\u002Fstrong> initiative to build AI skills at community level\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>Microsoft Malaysia welcomed the focus, with managing director Laurence Si calling the SME fund an important initiative, while adding that the dividends depend on what comes next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>5. But there is criticism\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Not everyone is convinced by the current approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also on October 14, former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan said Malaysia still lacks a clear strategy to capture the AI economy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He questioned whether the RM30 million allocation would produce meaningful change. That works out to about RM7,500 per company, a small sum for real transformation, he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shahril also worried the AI initiative would follow the pattern of previous digitalisation grants, where the funding's impact was never clearly demonstrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>What it means for you\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Two different things are happening at once: Malaysia is active on the regional stage, but domestic execution is still contested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you run a business in Malaysia:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Col>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Understand AI agent risk.\u003C\u002Fstrong> If you use AI tools that can act on their own (send email, fill forms, access accounts), limit their access. This is exactly the concern NACSA raised.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Watch the MDEC fund.\u003C\u002Fstrong> RM30 million across 4,000 SMEs means roughly RM7,500 each. If you qualify, apply, but treat it as seed help, not full funding.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Do not wait for legislation.\u003C\u002Fstrong> The AI Governance Bill is expected to be tabled in early 2027. Until then, your own practices are what protect you.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Keep logs.\u003C\u002Fstrong> If an AI-related incident occurs, activity records are the first thing anyone asks for. Make sure your systems capture them.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\u003Cp>For everyday users: this ASEAN appeal changes nothing on your phone today. But it signals direction: AI regulation in the region is coming, and it will focus on cybersecurity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Want to know which AI tools suit your work right now? See my picks on the \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fai-tools\">AI Tools\u003C\u002Fa> page.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Sources\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fasean.bernama.com\u002Fnews-bm.php?id=2620483\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Malaysia Seru Kerjasama Lebih Kukuh Dalam ASEAN, Tangani Ancaman Siber Berteraskan AI\u003C\u002Fa> (BERNAMA)\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fasean.bernama.com\u002Fnews.php?id=2620412\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Malaysia Calls For Stronger ASEAN Cooperation On AI-Related Cyber Threats\u003C\u002Fa> (BERNAMA)\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.microsoft.com\u002Fsource\u002Fasia\u002Ffeatures\u002Fmicrosoft-welcomes-budget-2027s-focus-on-accelerating-malaysias-ai-nation-ambition\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Microsoft welcomes Budget 2027's focus on accelerating Malaysia's AI Nation ambition\u003C\u002Fa> (Microsoft News)\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.freemalaysiatoday.com\u002Fcategory\u002Fnation\u002F2026\u002F10\u002F14\u002Fmalaysia-lacks-clear-plan-to-capture-ai-economy-says-shahril\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Malaysia lacks clear plan to capture AI economy, says Shahril\u003C\u002Fa> (Free Malaysia Today)\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n",1793543302461]