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Frameworks · Malaysia

AI governance frameworks and regulation in Malaysia

Malaysia governs AI without a standalone AI law, for now. The Personal Data Protection Act 2010 applies to AI that uses personal data, and the Commissioner's 2026 guidelines require impact assessments for automated decisions and profiling. MOSTI's National Guidelines on AI Governance and Ethics set voluntary principles, and the Ministry of Digital is preparing an AI Governance Bill.

Who regulates AI here

Malaysia

Malaysia applies its data protection law to automated decisions and profiling through the Commissioner's 2026 guidelines, alongside voluntary national AI principles, with a horizontal AI Governance Bill in preparation.

Regulator guidanceMalaysia ADMP GuidelineMalaysia Automated Decision-Making and Profiling GuidelineMalaysia's ADMP Guideline of April 2026 applies the PDPA to automated decisions and profiling. The threshold, the DPIA link, notices and the AI practices.Issued 30 April 2026 by the Personal Data Protection Commissioner under section 48(g) of the PDPA. Supplements the Act and is read with it.Voluntary frameworkMalaysia AIGEMalaysia National Guidelines on AI Governance and EthicsMOSTI's National Guidelines on AI Governance and Ethics (AIGE), September 2024. The seven principles, who they speak to and the AI Code of Ethics.Published September 2024 by MOSTI. Voluntary. Described by the government as a living document.LawMalaysia AI Governance BillMalaysia's proposed AI Governance Bill, its first horizontal AI law. What the Ministry of Digital says it covers, its risk-based approach and the timeline.Proposed. Draft completed and going to Cabinet. Expected to be tabled in Parliament by the first quarter of 2027.

All Malaysia frameworks

International

Standards and frameworks that apply across borders. Most organisations use one of these as the backbone of their AI governance, whatever their jurisdiction.

StandardISO/IEC 42001ISO/IEC 42001:2023 AI management systemsISO/IEC 42001 is the certifiable international standard for an AI management system. What it requires, how Annex A works and how to get ready to certify.Published December 2023, current editionIn Aicura from ProStandardISO/IEC 42005ISO/IEC 42005:2025 AI system impact assessmentISO/IEC 42005 is international guidance on assessing how an AI system affects people and society, when to assess, what to record and how it links to 42001.Published May 2025, current editionVoluntary frameworkNIST AI RMFNIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0)The NIST AI RMF is a voluntary framework for managing AI risk through four functions, Govern, Map, Measure and Manage. What it asks and who uses it worldwide.Version 1.0 current, revision under wayIn Aicura from ProVoluntary frameworkNIST Generative AI ProfileNIST AI RMF Generative AI Profile (NIST AI 600-1)NIST AI 600-1 applies the AI Risk Management Framework to generative AI. Its 12 risks, the suggested actions behind them and who uses the profile and why.Final, published July 2024StandardISO/IEC 23894ISO/IEC 23894:2023 Guidance on AI risk managementISO/IEC 23894 adapts the ISO 31000 risk process to AI. What the guidance covers, its AI risk sources and lifecycle mapping, and how it fits with ISO 42001.Published February 2023, current editionStandardISO/IEC 38507ISO/IEC 38507:2022 Governance implications of the use of AI by organizationsISO/IEC 38507 is guidance for boards on governing an organisation's use of AI. What it asks of directors, how it links to ISO/IEC 38500 and who uses it.Published April 2022, current editionVoluntary frameworkOECD AI PrinciplesOECD Recommendation of the Council on Artificial Intelligence (OECD AI Principles)The OECD AI Principles are the intergovernmental standard for trustworthy AI, adopted 2019 and revised 2024. The five principles and how to apply them.Adopted May 2019, revised May 2024Voluntary frameworkHUDERIAHUDERIA: Risk and impact assessment of AI systems for human rights, democracy and the rule of lawHUDERIA is the Council of Europe's method for assessing AI risks to human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Its four elements, scoring and who uses it.Methodology and Model adopted, non-bindingLawCouncil of Europe AI ConventionCouncil of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law (CETS No. 225)The Council of Europe AI Convention is the first binding international treaty on AI. Who has signed and ratified, what it asks of parties and when it applies.Open for signature, not yet in forceVoluntary frameworkG7 Hiroshima Code of ConductHiroshima Process International Code of Conduct for Organizations Developing Advanced AI SystemsThe G7 Hiroshima Code of Conduct sets 11 voluntary actions for advanced AI developers, with OECD HAIP reporting. What it asks and who reports under HAIP 2.0.Voluntary, reporting framework v2.0 liveVoluntary frameworkUNESCO AI Ethics RecommendationUNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial IntelligenceUNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of AI is the global standard its member states adopted in 2021. Its values, principles and Ethical Impact Assessment.Adopted November 2021

All International frameworks

Aicura in Malaysia

Frameworks elsewhere

Guides

Questions

Does Malaysia have an AI law?

Not yet. The AI Governance Bill has been drafted and is going to Cabinet, and the Digital Minister expects it to be tabled in Parliament by the first quarter of 2027. Until then, the PDPA and its guidelines are the main binding rules for AI.

Does the PDPA cover automated decision-making?

The Act has no specific provisions on it, but the Commissioner's ADMP Guideline of 30 April 2026 explains how its notice, consent and withdrawal rules apply, and requires a DPIA for any planned processing with automated decision-making or profiling elements.

Are the National Guidelines on AI Governance and Ethics mandatory?

No. MOSTI's AIGE guidelines are voluntary. They set seven principles for responsible AI, and the National AI Office's voluntary AI Code of Ethics helps organisations apply them.

Does the PDPA apply to government agencies?

No. The PDPA does not apply to the Federal and State Governments. It applies to personal data processed in commercial transactions.

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