Malaysia's government will use existing legislation alongside a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Bill to prosecute content misuse and strengthen accountability throughout the technology's lifecycle. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo outlined the two-pronged approach in the Dewan Rakyat on June 22, 2026, emphasizing early action against risks like deepfakes, synthetic content, and identity manipulation.
"This layered strategy ensures that existing legal measures and the AI Governance Bill complement each other in balancing innovation with systemic risk control," Gobind said. "This proactive approach is crucial to driving the responsible use of AI without compromising public safety, national interests and comprehensive protection of victims' rights, individual dignity and children."
The minister was responding to questions from lawmakers about whether the proposed bill would explicitly cover the creation of deepfake child sexual abuse material, identity impersonation, and non-consensual dissemination of intimate content. He confirmed that the legislation addresses these threats while also establishing a framework for safe AI development from the outset.
What the AI Governance Bill covers
Gobind told Wong Shu Qi (PH-Kluang) that the bill is not only a response to misuse but a framework to ensure AI systems are developed safely. "We have to look at AI holistically. AI cuts across all sectors. Therefore, we need to see how we can regulate the process from start to finish," he said. Content generated by AI that violates the law will be dealt with under the new provisions.
The bill works alongside existing laws that are being tightened and expanded to cover emerging threats, including child exploitation and sexual assault involving AI-generated material. Gobind said the government is also focusing on AI model safety and data protection, with assessments of AI products before they are deployed.
AI sovereignty and ecosystem safety
In response to Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang) on whether the bill emphasizes AI sovereignty, Gobind said building a secure AI ecosystem requires a comprehensive approach addressing all legal violations arising from the technology. "So we have to build ecosystems. As I mentioned, existing laws that have long been in place can be tightened and expanded to cover all these aspects, and we are introducing the necessary reforms to ensure that not only AI, but also new technologies, can be effectively addressed," he said.
The government is ensuring that AI models under development are safe, with guaranteed data security, and that resulting products are scrutinized before release. This pre-deployment assessment is part of the broader push to control risks without stifling innovation.
Why this matters for government
The dual strategy signals that public sector agencies will need to navigate both existing legal provisions and the forthcoming AI Governance Bill. Compliance teams must understand how the new framework dovetails with current laws covering digital content, data protection, and child safety. Policy makers and regulators can build expertise through structured learning, such as the AI Learning Path for Policy Makers. Early preparation will be key as the bill moves toward enactment and agencies face new oversight requirements for AI systems they procure or build.
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