PUTRAJAYA: The government will fine-tune the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code and the Penal Code to address the increasing number of cybercrimes in line with technological advancements and the complexity of such crimes.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the decision was made following discussions with the police, which proposed the amendments.

However, he said that the ministry needed the cooperation of various parties, including Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

"We have some constraints with the existing laws. We need to reassess limited powers of the police, especially the investigators in the current laws.

"Therefore, it is reasonable for the police and the ministry to revisit these laws. This idea was previously raised around 2018 and 2019 due to the anticipated trend of increasingly challenging commercial crimes, which are difficult to manage with the current manpower and legal constraints.

"The trend of fraud is becoming more sophisticated, and doing nothing is not an option," he said at the Home Ministry's monthly assembly here today.

Saifuddin added that the government would also consider proposals to increase the number of personnel in the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) to strengthen the team.

He said CCID had approximately 2,216 officers and members nationwide tasked with handling increasingly challenging commercial crimes.

"Yesterday, I was briefed by Datuk Seri Ramli (Federal CCID director) on the rising trend of commercial crimes leading to significant financial losses. Therefore, there is an urgent need to empower CCID.

"I will bring this matter to the highest level by discussing it with the inspector-general of police, the deputy inspector-general of police, the police secretary, the Public Service Department, and the chief secretary to the government.

"Hopefully, we can find a solution, whether by requesting new positions or optimising existing internal resources with some adjustments," he said.

He said this matter was a priority to curb commercial crimes in the country.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2024/06/1066435/govt-fine-tune-law-curb-cybercrime-add-more-ccid-personnel