KUALA LUMPUR — The government will continue strengthening the country’s cybersecurity preparedness, with greater emphasis on anticipating and preventing attacks amid increasingly complex and sophisticated threats.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said a proactive approach must take precedence over reactive measures to ensure Malaysia is better prepared to deal with cyber threats targeting various sectors, including banking and critical institutions.

He said the country must develop the capacity to detect and anticipate potential threats early rather than responding only after an attack has occurred.

“We must build the capability to anticipate attacks. We should not wait to react. We need to be prepared to anticipate them beforehand,” he said while moderating the 14th Malaysia MADANI Intellectual Forum here on Friday night.

Anwar noted that cyber threats were no longer confined to developing countries, as even developed European nations with advanced economic and security infrastructure continued to face serious cyberattacks.

In this regard, he said the government had convened a National Security Council (NSC) meeting to assess existing expertise and capabilities in addressing cybersecurity threats.

Detailed briefings had also been provided to Members of Parliament, while Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar had met ministry secretaries-general, director-generals and senior government officials to coordinate preparations against potential cyber intrusions.

Anwar stressed that comprehensive preparedness was essential, as cyberattacks could take various forms and might not always be detected at an early stage.

Commenting on the forum, he said the monthly platform served as an important avenue for bringing together views, criticisms and recommendations from various stakeholders to help the government assess and improve national policies and programmes.

He said the forum also provided academics, researchers, private-sector representatives and government administrators with an opportunity to exchange views openly, including opinions that might differ from the government’s position.

Anwar emphasised that ideas raised during the discussions should not remain confined to academic debates but must instead be translated into practical action and improvements in national governance.

The 14th Malaysia MADANI Intellectual Forum discussed the resilience of the agricultural sector and food security, which are also regarded as important components of national security and economic resilience.

Also present were Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, SD Guthrie Berhad Group President and Chief Executive Officer Mohd Haris Mohd Arshad, and PNB Research Institute Chief Executive Officer Dr Sarena Che Omar.

– BERNAMA –