Malaysia opposes any form of espionage - Shahidan

Malaysia opposes any form of espionage and surveillance which affect national sovereignty and bilateral relations, the Dewan Rakyat was told on Tuesday.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the government, through the foreign ministry and other relevant agencies would continue to monitor developments on this issue and would take appropriate action if there was strong evidence in this regard.

Hence, the government had drafted the National Cyber Security Policy (NCSP) to protect the Critical National Information Infrastructure Systems in 2006, he said.

"This policy focuses on the safe use of technology towards domestic consumption and production to reduce dependence on foreign technology," he said.

Shahidan was replying to a question by Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz (Pasir Mas-PAS) on reports of espionage activities by several countries against Malaysia.

He said the 10 critical sectors identified by the NCSP were defence and security, banking and finance, information and communication, energy, transport, water, health services, government, emergency services and food, and agriculture.

Commenting on the disclosure made intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden, Shahidan said the United States Government was conducting a study and investigation of all espionage activities, and would update Malaysia and the countries involved on the results of the review.

Last year, the foreign media reported on Snowden's disclosure that Malaysia was being spied upon by the United States Embassy and the Australian High Commission.

"The (Malaysian) government is now gathering information to send a protest note to the United States and Australia to curb such activities," said Shahidan.