KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — Despite ongoing enforcement efforts, Malaysia continues to face challenges in its fight against financial scam syndicates, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
He highlighted that outdated laws, limited technical expertise, and weak coordination among enforcement agencies remain key obstacles.
“One of the most critical problems is the mismatch between existing laws and the evolving realities of cybercrime.
“Many legal provisions are seen as outdated or insufficient, especially in addressing the increasingly sophisticated methods used by scammers.
“Even more concerning, Malaysia currently lacks a comprehensive law specifically designed to deal with cross-border cybercrime,” Shamsul told Parliament today.
As a result, he said many cases remain unresolved or are not pursued to completion.
Shamsul was responding to Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Sri Aman MP Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodie, who asked the Home Ministry to outline weaknesses in enforcement that have led Malaysia to be perceived as a preferred destination for international scam syndicates, including the recent case involving more than 400 people detained in Bangsar South.
In addition, Shamsul said penalties imposed on offenders are often seen as too lenient, failing to serve as an effective deterrent to both individuals and syndicates involved in scams.
“Another major hurdle lies in the shortage of technical expertise and human resources within digital forensics and cyber enforcement teams.
“Many officers are still not fully equipped to handle emerging technologies exploited by scammers, such as spoofing and encrypted communication platforms.
“The country’s cyber monitoring and security infrastructure also lags behind developed nations, making the detection, response, and mitigation of digital threats slower and less comprehensive,” he said.
To tackle the growing menace, Shamsul said the government has initiated several measures, including proposed amendments to existing laws, as part of broader efforts to strengthen Malaysia’s legal and institutional capacity against cyber-enabled financial crimes.
In August, Berita Harian reported that police arrested over 400 individuals allegedly involved in a scam call centre operating from an office in Bangsar South. The detainees included both Malaysians and foreigners.
