MALAYSIA is grappling with an escalating wave of cyber threats, with official data showing 5,735 cyber incident reports recorded nationwide as of September this year, according to Cyber999, the CyberSecurity Malaysia incident response centre.
Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Fabian Bigar said the figure marked an increase of more than 1,000 cases compared with 4,659 incidents reported during the same period last year.
“We are now facing the reality that digital threats are no longer a possibility, but a reality that occurs every day,” he said.
Fabian added that the Royal Malaysia Police had reported a significant rise in online fraud cases up to November this year, particularly telecommunications scams involving thousands of victims and estimated losses exceeding RM700 million across the country.
He was speaking at the Digital Awareness Carnival 2025, which was officiated by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad at the MARA Higher Skills College in Lenggong on Saturday.
Fabian explained that the reported incidents covered a wide spectrum of cyber threats, including scams, data breaches, malicious code attacks designed to damage or steal information, as well as intrusion attempts involving unauthorised access to technology systems.
“These statistics show that digital threats come in many forms and target all internet users regardless of background. Programmes like today’s carnival are expected to provide knowledge and serve as a digital safety shield for the community,” he said.
“By exposing the public to cybersecurity measures, ways to identify scams and safe digital practices, we hope local communities can use technology more confidently and securely, while contributing to the development of a more resilient society,” he added.
Meanwhile, Saarani said the Perak state government believed digital transformation could not occur by chance but must be carefully planned and grounded in the real needs of the people.
“In this regard, the Perak State Digital Economy Action Plan 2030 was launched as a clear roadmap to strengthen digital infrastructure, enhance the efficiency of public administration and empower the business ecosystem and society through digitalisation,” he said.
He added that the plan included expanding rural digital access, developing points of presence and deploying low-earth orbit satellite technology in remote areas.
“(It also involves) strengthening cashless payments among small and medium enterprises and developing the state’s digital innovation ecosystem, all of which are monitored in an integrated manner to ensure the benefits truly reach the people,” Saarani said. - December 20, 2025
