Malaysia To Deepen AI, Cybersecurity Cooperation With China

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia remains committed to deepening cooperation with China in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, particularly in skills development and technology localisation.

National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA) director-general Dr Megat Zuhairy Megat Tajuddin said China has long been a key partner for Malaysia in enhancing technical expertise and supporting national readiness in frontier technologies.

In an interview with Xinhua recently, he said Malaysia-China cooperation in AI continues to prioritise capacity-building, in line with Malaysia’s National Cyber Security Strategy, which seeks not only to adopt advanced technologies but also to develop local capabilities to strengthen national resilience.

“China has demonstrated flexibility and pragmatism in its cooperation, not only through  knowledge sharing but also by showing willingness to engage in joint development and joint production,” he said.

Megat Zuhairy said both countries share a common understanding on technology localisation and technological sovereignty, providing a strong foundation for further cooperation in the AI sector.

Commenting on the recent controversy involving the Grok AI model on social media platform X, Megat Zuhairy said AI technology is not a “black-and-white” issue. It offers vast potential but also carries real risks.

He said that the Malaysian government’s decision to impose temporary restrictions on Grok was a necessary balance between protecting public interests and allowing innovation to progress.

“This temporary measure is not intended to curb innovation or restrict the development of advanced technology in Malaysia, but rather to manage the potential negative impacts of AI misuse, particularly in terms of ethics and content safety,” he said.

Megat Zuhairi emphasised that the use of AI must be guided by a clear ethical framework to ensure progress does not come at the expense of public interest or information security.

At present, he said Malaysia is drafting AI safety guidelines, while accelerating efforts to strengthen relevant laws and institutional arrangements and developing more adaptable governance tools.

“AI technology evolves rapidly. We want guidelines that are flexible and can be updated when necessary. This is not only about regulation, but also about emphasising the responsibility of AI users,” he added.

-- BERNAMA