‘Kill switch’ to be created to stop online scams

A new law is being drafted for a “kill switch” that can immediately terminate online scam transactions, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) said the existing laws were outdated and insufficient to deal with the new form of crime.

“There is an urgent need to create by law to allow for a kill switch to stop scam activities on any online domains or platforms in Malaysia immediately.

“With regard to this, the Madani government is in the process of drafting a new Bill which will contain provisions on the procedure and enforcement of the kill switch to improve digital safety in more detail and in a clear manner,” Azalina said when answering question raised by Suhaizan Kaiat (Ph-pulai) at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

“Such a new law is needed in light of the fast-paced development of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybercrimes, which are on the rise. Many of our current laws were enacted before 2010 and are way behind.

“If we compare our current laws to a car, they are like a derelict bicycle.

“And that is why we need to amend the law, not only substantively but also on procedure to help our government to deal with the problem we are facing today,” she added.

Apart from the new law for the kill switch, Azalina said amendments to other laws such as the Anti-money Laundering, Antiterrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code are needed to enable money to be returned to scam victims.

Presently, she said banks had put in place safeguards to prevent customers from falling victim to online scams.

She noted that between Oct 12, 2022 and Jan 31, 2024, the National Scam Response Centre recorded 71,631 calls with losses amounting to Rm245.1mil due to online scams.

Meanwhile, Azalina proposed that MPS be given a briefing on how online scammers operate.

“I am sure everyone of us in the House has received calls from scammers before.

“I myself have received calls from those claiming to be from the police and magistrates, who sounded very convincing, saying that action was being taken against me or that I would be made a bankrupt,” she said.

“MPS who are briefed on such scams will be able to better educate their respective constituents during roadshows.”