MALAYSIAN CYBERSECURITY IN THE CONTEXT OF NATIONAL SECURITY AND NATIONAL INTEREST: A SECURITIZED PERSPECTIVE (2006-2020)

Abstract

This study examines the rapid increase in cybersecurity studies and how Malaysia started to combat cyber threats and minimize security vulnerabilities between 2006 and 2020. This study is based on various official policies and documents, articles, books, unofficial sources, and interviews. Following the introduction of the initial cybersecurity policy in 2006, it seems there has been also a notable surge in articles and studies related to cybersecurity and policy. The policies generally focus on the importance of critical national infrastructures and national security. However, over time, it has been observed that these studies have expanded to include other cybersecurity threats, such as cybercrimes and cyber fraud. The subject is analysed within the framework of securitization theory. Doing so contributes to the existing literature because many studies concerning the issue deal with Malaysian cybersecurity in the context of national security. Therefore, the study addresses this gap by examining how Malaysia has developed its cybersecurity policies within the framework of securitization theory, marking a shift from traditional security to a non-traditional security perception. It also investigates how the concepts and approaches of securitization theory resonate in Malaysia's cybersecurity context. Additionally, the study explores the strategies employed in discourses within Malaysia, mainly focusing on sectoral security. The findings reveal that the actions of governments, driven by national interests and cybersecurity practices, have introduced new tensions into the relationship between citizens and the government, encompassing both contemporary developments in the cyber field and traditional legal structures. Ultimately, this study highlights the complex interplay between national interests, cybersecurity practices, and the evolving relationship between citizens and the government. It sheds light on the challenges posed by new cyber developments and the implications for legal frameworks and political dynamics.