M’sia eyeing membership in Budapest Convention on Cybercrime
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is exploring the possibility of becomingamemberoftheBudapest Convention on Cybercrime, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
She said the government had formed several committees within various government departments, including law enforcement agencies, to study the provisions of the convention and determine the policy, legal, technical and administrative requirements that need to be fulfilled.
“Our study on Malaysia’s legislation framework has identified that our Computer Crimes Act 1997 and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 2002 need to be amended to fulfill the legal requirements under the Budapest Convention,” she said at the 8th Event of the Attorney General’s Chambers of Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore here yesterday.
Azalina said Malaysia acknowledged the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, which was drawn up by the Council of Europe and came into force in July 2004.
The convention is the first international treaty on crimes committed via the Internet and other computer networks, dealing particularly with infringements of copyright, computer- related fraud, child pornography and violations of network security. It also contains a series of powers and procedures such as the search of computer networks and interception.
Its main objective is to pursue a common criminal policy aimed at the protection of society against cybercrime, especially by adopting appropriate legislation and fostering international cooperation.
Azalina also said that Asean member countries had a duty and responsibility to work together in combating the rampant terrorism in the region.
She said the three- day forum, which began yesterday, could serve as a useful platform in sharing views with regard to the effectiveness of existing international legal frameworks on combating transnational crimes, including terrorism, by using tools such as the United Nations Convention against Transnational Crime and its related protocols.
She also said that it was important that the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGCs) of the three countries continue to build upon the rapport nurtured for years in furthering the greater tri-nation agenda.
“It is an important forum for the exchange of knowledge in law and practice, particularly in areas in which our countries have common interest. It also provides a platform for interaction and networking among AGC officers at different levels of experience and and expertise,” she said.
The forum presented a good opportunity for the three countries to deliberate on the outstanding issues in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for TransPacific Partnership (CPTPP), she said.
Meanwhile, Attorney General of Malaysia Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali said international trade, social media and legislation were the three areas identified for discussion at the forum.
“The selection of these topics are timely and relevant. The more inter- connected we are in our economies, social interaction and politics, the more there is at stake.
“Issues that we are facing today transcend borders and affect each and everyone of us beyond our geographical limits,” he said.
A total of 194 participants are attending the forum.
Also present were the Attorney General of Singapore, Lucien Wong, and the Attorney General of Brunei, Datin Seri Hayati Mohd Salleh. — Bernama