Computer Crimes Act 1997

In 1997, Malaysia adopted the Computer Crimes Act 1997. This act is similar to United State's Computer Fraud and Abuse Act 1986, United Kingdom's Computer Misuse Act 1990 and Singapore's Computer Misuse Act 1993. These laws govern the conduct of use of computers, internet and network usage and protect the consumers from intrunsion, fraud, deception and theft within the on-line community. Computers are defined more deeply under the section 2, and refereed to as any device of interelated electronical and mechanical system enable to process data, calculate mathematical functions, store data, communicate data and display data. These do not include type writers and calculators. And networks are defined as "the interconnection of communication lines and circuits with computer or a complex consisting of two or more interconnected computers"

Under the CCA 1997 certain rules with penalty is enforceable in Malasyia.

Section 3 of the CCA 1997 is regarding the unathorized access to computer materials.

Section 4 of the CCA 1997 is regardin the unathorized access with the intent to commit or facilitate commission of further offence.

Section 5 of the CCA is regarding the unauthorized modification of the contents of any computer.

Section 6 regards the wrongful communication.

Section 7 Abetments and attempts punishable as offences.

Section 8 Presumption

The penalty could be a fine of up to RM 50,000 depending on the conduct of crime or could be imprisoned up to 10 years or even both.