Malaysia Finalises AI Governance Bill Ahead of Planned 2027 Parliamentary Tabling

Malaysia’s Ministry of Digital has finished drafting the national Artificial Intelligence Governance Bill, which is slated for submission to the Cabinet before being tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in early 2027, according to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. Speaking during a parliamentary question session on 29 October, Gobind stated that the planned statute will introduce a dedicated horizontal legal framework governing artificial intelligence systems.

According to Gobind, the proposed legislation will require entities that develop, supply, or deploy AI technologies to assume appropriate responsibility for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks. The framework is designed to allocate legal accountability based on an organisation's specific role, level of control, and system risk profile across the technology lifecycle, alongside mandatory protocols for recording and managing incidents. Gobind presented the update in response to parliamentary questions regarding protections against digital deception, identity theft, and algorithmic abuse.

The government is also drawing on technical expertise through AI Malaysia Berhad, which advises on existing regulations and supports cooperation among ministries and agencies, according to the minister. Gobind also noted that Malaysia is consulting with other Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states to encourage regulatory alignment and consistent regional standards. In parallel, Malaysian authorities are amending existing legal statutes, including the Evidence Act and Criminal Procedure Code, to help judicial bodies and prosecutors manage evidence involving algorithmic technologies.

What it means

For emerging economies seeking digital growth without overlooking systemic safety, Malaysia's framework demonstrates how statutory responsibility can be distributed across the tech value chain while actively pursuing regional regulatory consensus.