INSTITUTIONAL ACTORS AND LEGISLATIVE DECISION-MAKING IN THE SECURITISATION OF CYBER THREATS IN MALAYSIA

Authors

  • Hanis Shaheera Ahmad Hisham Universiti Malaya
  • Sheila Devi Michael Universiti Malaya
  • Azah Anir Norman Universiti Malaya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22452//mjir.vol14no1.1

Keywords:

Actors, Cyber Threats, Securitising, Policymaking, Malaysia

Abstract

This study investigates the role of key actors in Malaysia in the securitisation of cyber threats at the national level, addressing a significant gap in existing research that often overlooks the human element in cybersecurity. Correspondingly, the research employs a qualitative approach, triangulating evidence from parliamentary debates, cybersecurity policy, and legislative documents. As such, the findings highlight the contested nature of Malaysia's legislative process, where the articulation of an issue by a credible actor can transform it into a matter of national concern, prompting governmental action. At the parliamentary level, the advancement of cybersecurity-related legislation is shaped by the authority, influence, and strategic intent of the actors involved, reflecting their capacity to influence the nation's policy trajectory. In essence, cyber threats pose substantial risks to national security, often serving as instruments of hybrid warfare and thereby challenging conventional notions of state sovereignty.

 

 

Author Biographies

  • Hanis Shaheera Ahmad Hisham, Universiti Malaya

    Hanis Shaheera binti Ahmad Hisham is a PhD Candidate in the Department of International and Strategic Studies at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya. Her PhD research focused on cybersecurity strategy in securitising Malaysia’s National Critical Information Infrastructure (NCII). 

  • Sheila Devi Michael, Universiti Malaya

    Dr Sheila Devi Michael is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of International and Strategic Studies at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya. Her PhD research focused on human trafficking in Malaysia and was later published as a book. Dr Michael's primary research interests encompass migration, irregular migration, non-traditional security issues, human rights, and human governance. She has authored numerous articles on topics such as human trafficking, migrant smuggling, refugees, and migrant workers. Her current research centres on the pressing issue of child trafficking.

  • Azah Anir Norman, Universiti Malaya

    Azah Anir Norman is an associate professor at the Department of Information Systems, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, University of Malaya (UM), Malaysia. Her area of research interest is in Information Systems focusing on Information Systems Security. She is involved in various research, leading to the publication of many academic papers in the areas of information security governance; information security management; information security systems; information security & trust; information security and privacy; information security education awareness; information security, and assurance, information security policy and governance. Her works were published in respectable ISI-cited journals and a SCOPUS-cited journal.  She is also a member of the Association of Information Systems (AIS) and won a prestigious award from the Royal Academy of Engineering of UK (RAENG), the Leaders of Innovation in 2018.

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Published

2026-06-30

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026): MJIR | The Malaysian Journal of International Relations

Section

Articles