MALAYSIA recorded financial losses amounting to RM1.12 billion due to online fraud between January and June this year, according to Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
In a written parliamentary reply published yesterday, he said the government is responding decisively by reinforcing the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) as a centralised, 24-hour operations hub for cyber fraud response.
“After nearly three years functioning administratively, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, while chairing the Special Meeting of the National Cyber Security Committee (JKSN), agreed that NSRC be placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) and led by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM),” he stated.
He added that the centre’s enhancement also involves the establishment of the 24/7 Network, a point of contact to facilitate rapid cross-border collaboration in cybercrime investigations.
Saifuddin was responding to a question from R Yuneswaran (PH–Segamat), who had sought details on the financial impact of online scams in 2025 and the measures being taken to curb the problem.
Elaborating further, the minister said NSRC, in cooperation with four participating agencies, is now implementing a series of ‘quick win’ initiatives.
“Since 1 July, NSRC has been operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and continues to use the emergency hotline number 997.
“Previously, scam victims had to lodge police reports in person after calling 997. Now, reports can be filed directly through the hotline without requiring a physical visit to the nearest police station,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Saifuddin said the centre will move into a permanent operational base at Tower 2 of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in Cyberjaya from 1 September.
“The new premises will house the four core NSRC agencies, as well as representatives from financial institutions and the telecommunications sector,” he said.
In the longer term, the NSRC will undergo structural strengthening with the creation of new posts across multiple service schemes and formalise its 24/7 Network function under a unified governance entity.
“This will support Malaysia’s commitments under the Budapest Convention and the UN Convention,” he added. - August 14, 2025
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