A PROMINENT cybersecurity expert has called for a measured, phased approach to implementing online safety laws to protect users while fostering cooperation from digital platforms.
Professor Dr Selvakumar Manickam, Director of the Cybersecurity Research Centre (CYRES), emphasised that successful regulation requires not just government action, but also the active involvement of civil society, parents, and educators.
During an interview on Bernama TV’s Bernama World programme, "Online Safety in Focus: Understanding Malaysia's ONSA 2025," Selvakumar argued that addressing the complexity of online threats cannot be done in one broad stroke.
"This cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution. It must involve civil society, parents, and teachers. The approach cannot be implemented in one go," he said, underlining the need for a broad and ongoing collaborative effort.
Selvakumar advocated for a phased approach to regulation, starting with platforms that have the greatest impact.
This would allow the government to gradually expand requirements to other platforms in a manageable way.
"It has to be a phased approach. We need to categorise platforms based on their local impact," he explained. Smaller platforms with limited local reach, he added, should be subject to less stringent compliance requirements.
One of the main obstacles in online safety regulation, Selvakumar pointed out, is the fast-evolving nature of online threats such as scams, artificial intelligence-driven misinformation, and child exploitation.
This dynamic environment complicates the enforcement of effective laws.
He also highlighted the delicate balance that must be struck between protecting users and preserving freedom of expression.
To address this, Selvakumar called for more transparency in decision-making and the establishment of an independent body to oversee online safety.
"First and foremost, transparencyis key. The government should publish reports explaining why content has been removed, and what the impact of such actions is on the Malaysian public," he said.
Furthermore, he suggested the creation of an online safety Appeal Tribunal to ensure that users and platforms have a fair mechanism to challenge decisions.
Turning to the question of how Malaysia is engaging with global platforms, Selvakumar reassured that the country was adopting a cooperative, rather than punitive, stance.
Malaysia is using a regulatory sandbox to work with digital platforms, testing governance mechanisms before resorting to penalties.
"The law has been in effect since January 1, but we are not imposing penalties yet. We want to engage and collaborate with the platforms," he stated.
Regarding cross-border cybercrimes, Selvakumar stressed the importance of international collaboration due to the borderless nature of the internet.
He noted that Malaysia's leadership within ASEAN could play a pivotal role in fostering regional cooperation and data-sharing to combat digital threats.
"As the internet is a global, borderless platform, international collaboration is crucial. At the ASEAN level, we can share data and work together. This will help address regional issues like scams and fraud," he said.
A regulatory sandbox is currently being employed in Malaysia to test social media governance frameworks, ensuring that regulations are both effective and innovation-friendly. - January 19, 2026
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