PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for enhanced collaboration between the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA), the National Security Council (MKN), and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) in response to a recent cyber-attack targeting MAHB's digital infrastructure.
The Prime Minister's senior press secretary, Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, stated that the Prime Minister emphasised the importance of government and industry teams working in tandem to bolster the country's ability to safeguard its critical infrastructure against potential cyber threats.
"The capacity and competence of local experts must continue to be strengthened so that dependence on foreign parties in managing the country's critical systems is minimised," Tunku Nashrul said.
"The readiness of local experts to handle any cybersecurity incidents will remain a priority for the MADANI Government, as this is essential for maintaining the confidence of both the public and investors in the country."
The cyber-attack on MAHB's systems, which involved hackers demanding a ransom of USD 10 million, has highlighted the urgent need for heightened vigilance and local cybersecurity capabilities.
Despite the attack, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that the government would not succumb to the ransom demands, and underscored the importance of bolstering national systems with additional funding for agencies such as the Royal Malaysian Police and Bank Negara Malaysia.
The Prime Minister also urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information about the incident, advising that updates should be sourced only from official channels.
Tunku Nashrul delivered these remarks during the Prime Minister's daily briefing, which was broadcast live via the official Facebook pages of Anwar Ibrahim and the Prime Minister's Office. – March 27, 2025
