PETALING JAYA — Malaysia is preparing to strengthen its regulation of artificial intelligence as rapidly evolving technologies, including AI-powered smart glasses, raise fresh concerns about privacy, cybersecurity and unauthorized recording.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the government is taking a proactive approach by developing regulatory frameworks and enforcement structures before emerging technologies create new problems.
Rather than waiting for individual incidents to occur, Malaysia wants its rules to anticipate how new technologies could be used and abused, he told The Star.
Smart Glasses Put Privacy Under the Spotlight
AI-enabled smart glasses have emerged as one of the technologies attracting attention because of their ability to capture images, record people and potentially upload information without those individuals’ explicit consent.
Gobind said activities such as harassment or unauthorized recording can already constitute offenses under existing Malaysian laws.
Depending on the circumstances, enforcement could involve the Penal Code or the Personal Data Protection Act 2010, he said.
Malaysia is also relying on existing agencies to monitor how personal information collected by emerging devices is stored, processed and protected.
Cybersecurity oversight is handled through the National Cyber Security Agency, which is responsible for implementing safety standards under the Cyber Security Act 2024.
Malaysia Is Preparing a Dedicated AI Law
The government’s broader move goes beyond smart glasses.
Malaysia has completed a draft Artificial Intelligence Governance Bill, according to Gobind, with the proposed legislation designed to establish a more comprehensive framework for AI governance.
The draft has undergone consultations and is being prepared for Cabinet consideration. Gobind previously said the government hoped to table the Bill in Parliament during the final quarter of 2026 or, at the latest, during the first quarter of 2027.
Malaysia’s National AI Office says the proposed framework is intended to support the responsible development, deployment and use of AI while keeping pace with technological change.
The country does not yet have a dedicated AI law, with existing legislation such as the Personal Data Protection Act, Cyber Security Act, Copyright Act and Online Safety Act currently covering relevant areas.
New Agencies Could Become Key to Enforcement
Gobind has stressed that passing legislation would only be one part of the process.
The government is also establishing institutions and administrative structures capable of monitoring compliance, investigating violations and taking enforcement action.
AI Malaysia Berhad, established under the Ministry of Digital, is being positioned as a central part of the country’s longer-term AI governance system. The government has also established the Malaysia AI Safety Institute and is developing standards alongside organizations including SIRIM.
The proposed framework is being developed alongside Malaysia’s National AI Action Plan 2026–2030, which aims to position the country as an AI-focused economy while emphasizing safety, trust and governance.
The Bigger Question: Who Will Police AI?
Malaysia’s regulatory push comes as AI adoption accelerates across businesses, government services and consumer technology.
The government’s approach combines laws, regulations and technical standards, with the intention of allowing regulators to respond to rapidly changing technology without requiring every new development to wait for a new statute.
That could become increasingly important as AI-powered devices become more common and increasingly capable of collecting, processing and generating information.
For Malaysia, the next major step is now the proposed AI Governance Bill — and whether the country’s planned enforcement structure will be ready when lawmakers consider the legislation.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
