Law enforcement must master AI before criminals do, Saifuddin says

Law enforcement agencies must learn to use generative AI before criminals gain the upper hand, Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said in Bangi.

Speaking after opening the sixth Cybersecurity Proficiency Conference 2026, Saifuddin said the side that mastered generative AI faster would hold the advantage, whether in enforcing the law or committing crimes. If criminals moved first, he warned, they could “devour” more victims.

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Whoever wins the battle to master generative AI will succeed.

He urged the government and enforcement agencies to adopt AI rather than simply watch its development. The technology, he said, is changing the current situation, while increasingly sophisticated criminals, including cross-border syndicates, are moving quickly to exploit it.

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Do not become a spectator on the sidelines. AI is changing the current situation.

Saifuddin said new AI tools can appear within days. However, because generative AI remains relatively new, Malaysian enforcement agencies have not yet fallen too far behind. They cannot remain at the same level, he said, and must at least keep pace with criminal users.

The Home Ministry’s assessment puts overall readiness among its personnel to adopt AI at 75%. The assessment includes agencies under the ministry, such as the Immigration Department, Royal Malaysia Police, National Registration Department and Prisons Department. Saifuddin said he was not fully satisfied, but confirmed that the ministry was moving in the right direction and remained committed to the effort.

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Generative AI is still new. We are not far behind yet. When criminals have mastered it, we cannot remain at the same level. Even if we cannot overtake them, we must at least keep pace.