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PRESS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF DIGITAL INITIATES ENGAGEMENT ON PROPOSED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) GOVERNANCE BILL
PUTRAJAYA, 10 July 2026 – The Ministry of Digital, through the National AI Office (NAIO), has initiated a series of engagement sessions throughout July 2026 to detail the proposed Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Bill. This move is part of the Government's efforts to introduce and enhance understanding of the governance framework that will serve as the foundation for the proposed Bill.
This engagement series aims to enhance understanding of the overarching AI governance framework, encourage constructive dialogue, and gather insights and feedback from government agencies, industry players, the business sector, academia, and the public. This initiative reflects the Government's commitment to crafting an AI governance framework that is balanced, practical, and future proof. This step is crucial to supporting a safe, responsible, and trustworthy technological ecosystem for the development and adoption of AI in Malaysia.
Built upon international benchmarking, technical studies, and initial sessions with stakeholders, this engagement series marks the next phase in policy formulation. This process is vital to ensuring that the proposed bill takes into account diverse perspectives, the latest technological advancements, and the implementation needs across various sectors.
This Bill will become Malaysia's first horizontal legal framework specifically dedicated to AI governance. It will provide a set of common principles that complement existing laws, thereby supporting a holistic AI ecosystem across various sectors.
This framework adopts a risk-based approach, recognising that AI threats can emerge at any stage of the system's lifecycle. Consequently, governance responsibilities will be distributed based on the roles and level of control of the parties involved. Furthermore, pre-emptive measures such as incident reporting
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systems, appropriate safeguards, and the establishment of AI sandboxes are highly encouraged to foster safe innovation and strengthen public confidence.
Commenting on the bill's role in Parliament on June 24, 2026, Digital Minister YB Gobind Singh Deo emphasised that it will not directly regulate AI output. Instead, issues concerning illegal content will continue to be addressed under existing acts and regulatory frameworks.
Following this series of engagements, the Ministry of Digital will conduct a nationwide public consultation through the Unified Public Consultation (UPC) portal at https://upc.mpc.gov.my, which is expected to commence on 10 July 2026. The public consultation will provide members of the public, businesses and organisations with a further avenue to share their views and feedback as the proposed AI Governance Bill continues to be refined prior to its finalisation.
The Ministry of Digital remains committed to developing this bill through a transparent, inclusive, and consultative process. Through continuous engagement with stakeholders and the public, the MADANI Government is determined to establish a governance framework that reflects diverse perspectives, provides regulatory clarity, and protects the public interest. This step is vital to support responsible innovation, thereby strengthening Malaysia's position as a trusted and globally competitive AI hub in line with the Towards an AI Nation 2030 roadmap.
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Issued by:
Ministry of Digital.
