Malaysia recorded RM1.12 billion in financial losses to online fraud between January and June this year, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail revealed in a written parliamentary reply.
In a decisive move to combat cyber scams, the government is enhancing the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) into a fully centralised, round-the-clock operations hub. Saifuddin said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during the Special Meeting of the National Cyber Security Committee (JKSN), approved placing the NSRC under the Ministry of Home Affairs, led by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
The upgrades will also include establishing a “24/7 Network” to enable rapid cross-border cooperation in cybercrime investigations.
Responding to a question from R Yuneswaran (PH–Segamat) on scam losses in 2025 and measures to tackle the problem, Saifuddin said NSRC, in collaboration with four participating agencies, is implementing several “quick win” measures. Since July 1, NSRC has been operating 24/7 and continues to use the emergency hotline 997. Victims can now file reports directly via the hotline without visiting a police station.
From September 1, NSRC will move into its new permanent base at Tower 2 of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in Cyberjaya, which will also host financial institutions and telecommunications representatives.
In the longer term, NSRC will undergo structural strengthening with new positions created across service schemes, and its “24/7 Network” function formalised under a unified governance structure, supporting Malaysia’s commitments under the Budapest Convention and the UN Convention.
