New measures including caning, refund mechanism under review to strengthen cybercrime laws

GOVERNMENT officials are reviewing potential reforms to strengthen cybercrime laws, including the introduction of caning as an additional punishment for offenders and mechanisms to return stolen funds to scam victims.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) is conducting a comprehensive study to examine stronger protection measures for victims of cybercrime.

"BHEUU is conducting a more detailed study on issues involving victims of cybercrime, not only in terms of cybercrime elements, but also online harms and digital offences.

"I mentioned earlier that some countries have different jurisdictions, such as Singapore, which includes caning as a punishment for offenders. In Malaysia, we currently impose fines and imprisonment, so this is among the areas we will study," she said.

Azalina was speaking to reporters after attending the National Cyber Security Summit (NCSS) 2026 in Putrajaya.

She said Malaysia’s current legal framework remains largely focused on prosecuting offenders through laws such as the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code, while victim protection mechanisms require further review.

"Like in the UK and Australia, when victims fall victim to online fraud, the banks involved will return the victims’ money, whereas our country does not yet have such a mechanism.

"So, through this study, we want to examine the mechanisms used in several countries, including the types of punishments and measures that can be provided for victims," she said.

Azalina said existing laws were primarily designed to punish perpetrators, with limited provisions to assist victims after a crime occurs.

"Most of what we have now is legislation that punishes offenders. Our laws are largely focused on offenders.

"For victims, there is currently little beyond making a police report, and sometimes the money is not recovered. That is the element we want to review," she said.

The study will examine international approaches to cybercrime enforcement and victim support as Malaysia seeks to strengthen its response to increasing digital fraud and online threats. - July 7, 2026