KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — The 2026 Cyber Crime Bill provides powers for the court to issue property restriction orders to prevent scam proceeds from being dissipated, even before a suspect has been charged.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the provision under clause 54 enables the court to issue orders to prevent or stop violations of the law, thereby protecting victims of cybercrime.
“Among the orders that can be issued include cessation orders, restitution orders to victims, compliance orders, and property restriction orders to prevent assets such as scam proceeds from being dissipated,” he said in a written Dewan Rakyat reply yesterday.
Zahid added that the Public Prosecutor or an authorised officer can submit applications to obtain such orders.
The Bill — passed by Parliament in July — was formulated to tackle online scams utilising artificial intelligence (AI), including identity impersonation, deepfakes, and digital manipulation.
He was responding to Jempol MP Datuk Shamshulkahar Mohd Deli's query on whether the existing legal framework is adequate to handle AI-based online fraud, as well as on specific reinforced provisions to accelerate action against syndicates and protect victims.
