Digital Infrastructure Bill to be tabled next year

KUALA LUMPUR: The Digital Infrastructure Bill (Data Centre) is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat next year.

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the bill was in its final stages of drafting and aimed to strengthen the security, resilience and governance of data centres as critical national digital infrastructure.

He said the framework would adopt an all-hazards approach, covering cybersecurity threats, system failures, operational disruptions, natural disasters, physical risks and supply chain vulnerabilities.

"This includes an emphasis on preparedness, disaster recovery and business continuity to minimise the impact of disruptions on the national economy," Gobind said in a written parliamentary reply.

He was responding to Syahredzan Johan (PH-Bangi), who asked about the ministry's plans and timeline for introducing the proposed bill.

Gobind said the country's growing reliance on digital infrastructure, particularly data centres, made a dedicated legal framework necessary to ensure uninterrupted public services and economic activities.

"The importance of digital infrastructure is reflected in the information and communications technology (ICT) and e-commerce sectors, which contributed 23.5 per cent to Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025.

"Approved digital investments also totalled RM385.71 billion between 2021 and June this year," he said.

He said the bill would undergo policy and legal coordination before being finalised and tabled for consideration and debate in Parliament.

Once passed and enforced, the ministry would coordinate the implementation of the regulatory framework to ensure compliance with prescribed security, resilience and operational continuity standards.