KUALA LUMPUR: Cross-sector collaboration is needed at the national and regional levels to combat cyber crime in a more effective manner, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

       He said such initiatives should include representatives from cyber security institutions, government agencies as well as the private sector, universities and non-governmental organisations.

       “Such collaborative efforts are needed for various initiatives, including performing cyber test-drills at the national and regional levels,” Hamzah said in his keynote speech at the “Working Together Towards The Future of Cyber Security in South-East Asia” conference here yesterday.

       The conference was held in conjunction with the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security Asia (Natsec) 2022 exhibitions.

       In his speech text read by Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz, Hamzah said such cooperation will strengthen the relationship among Asean countries and provide a better understanding on how to handle cyber attacks directed at the South-East Asian region.

       “In a study by Google, it was projected that the digital economy in South-East Asia is expected to double to US$363bil (RM1.53 trillion) in 2025, surpassing the previous forecast of US$300bil (RM1.26 trillion),” he said.

       “As such, Asean countries should continue to strengthen existing cooperation and identify existing gaps to improve and elevate the regional cyber security agenda.”

       Hamzah said the need for safe and secure cyberspace has become more important than ever.

       “We must collectively learn from experience, such as the Estonian cyber attacks in 2007 or the Ukrainian power grid attack in 2015,” he said.

       “The act of cyber crimes disrupting our digital economic sectors poses a threat to our national well-being and must be dealt with at all costs.”

       He said that almost 70% of commercial crime cases are now categorised as cyber crime cases.

       “The numbers are staggering. The Royal Malaysia Police has recorded reports of losses of RM2.23bil from 2017 to June 2021,” he added.

       Hamzah said the government continues to make progress in governance and coordination that addresses cyber security.

       He added that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has ranked Malaysia fifth in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2020 score and it comes in second in the Asia Pacific region after Singapore.

       “This recognition reflects our commitment to addressing cyber security,” he said.

       Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said Bukit Aman will enhance cooperation with other law enforcement agencies in the region to curb cyber crimes.

       He said collaboration on cyber security between Malaysia and other countries on cyber security have already been set up, but Bukit Aman will enhance this cooperation, he told reporters after the launch of the book Jenayah Siber di Malaysia: Impak Leluasa Internet (Cyber crimes in Malaysia: Pervasive Impact of the Internet).

       On cyber crimes, the IGP reminded the public not to be fooled by any callers who claim to be from the authorities.

       “Scammers often claim they are from agencies such as the police or the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and say that the victims are being investigated for various crimes,” he said.

       “The authorities will not conduct investigations over the phone. Investigators will schedule a meeting or interview at their respective offices.

       “Recording statements or interviewing persons of interests will not be done over the phone.”