THE government is moving to address the growing threat posed by the misuse of AI technology, particularly in the creation and distribution of pornographic images, through both legislative review and public advocacy efforts.
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, said the ministry will soon hold a collaborative session to reassess current laws and policies, including existing parenting advocacy programmes, in light of the evolving digital landscape.
“There is a pressing need to re-evaluate many aspects, especially the legal framework, to ensure we are equipped to respond effectively to the abuse of AI technology, particularly in the context of explicit image manipulation,” she said.
The upcoming session will involve key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Education, she added.
Speaking after receiving Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the ministry’s Hari Raya gathering at Wisma Sarawak Badan Amal Tenaga Isteri-Isteri (SABATI), Nancy also highlighted the urgent need to focus outreach efforts on rural communities, where awareness of such digital threats remains limited.
The minister’s remarks follow a disturbing case in Johor, where a 16-year-old boy was arrested in Kulai for allegedly distributing AI-generated pornographic images involving current and former students of a private school.
The teenager was remanded for five days to assist with investigations under Section 7 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Johor Police Chief Datuk M Kumar said the suspect was detained on 8 April, after an 18-year-old girl filed a police report alleging her image had been manipulated and circulated on social media in pornographic form.
Initial investigations revealed that the suspect had sourced the girl’s photo from her social media account before using AI-based applications to create explicit images, which were then allegedly sold online for RM2 each.
Police have since confirmed that a total of 29 reports have been filed in relation to the case. The suspect had earlier been remanded under Section 292 of the Penal Code, which pertains to the distribution of obscene materials, in addition to the charges under the Communications and Multimedia Act.
Nancy stressed that a multi-agency response is crucial, and warned that the nation must be proactive in protecting its youth from the darker implications of technological advancement.
“Our children are increasingly vulnerable to this kind of digital exploitation. This is a serious issue that affects not only the victims but also the fabric of our society.
We need a holistic, future-proof response that blends legal enforcement with strong community education,” she said. – April 19, 2025
