The Malaysian government is currently reviewing the possibility of introducing a sovereign cloud policy as part of efforts to strengthen data security and protect the nation's digital sovereignty, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil revealed.

This move comes in response to concerns raised by the US Cloud Act, which gives American authorities the power to access data stored by US-based tech companies—even if that data is housed on servers outside the United States.

Why Sovereign Cloud Matters

Fahmi explained that Malaysia must carefully examine the security aspects of cloud computing, especially when it comes to managing sensitive or classified government data. Other nations are also looking into similar policies as part of their broader strategy to protect national interests.

"At this stage, no final decision has been made, but the government is carrying out a comprehensive review," he said after joining the Keynote Forum: Online Safety in the World of Artificial Intelligence during the Youth Empowerment Fair.

Tied to National Sovereignty

According to Fahmi, the idea of a sovereign cloud is deeply linked to national sovereignty. This is especially important given that most major digital platforms and social media networks are controlled by global "Big Tech" companies that collect and store massive amounts of user data.

"For example, all data shared on Facebook belongs to Facebook, and the same applies to TikTok. This raises the question of data ownership, which requires further debate," he added.

A sovereign cloud ensures that a country has full control over its data—where it is stored, who can access it, and under what conditions. The framework is often seen as a safeguard for citizens' privacy and for protecting strategic government information.

Building Awareness on Digital Safety

Separately, Fahmi also highlighted the progress of the safe internet campaign spearheaded by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). As of Friday, the initiative has reached 2,611 schools nationwide, already covering more than 25% of its target of over 10,000 schools.

He stressed that this campaign is vital for raising awareness among both Generation Z and Generation Alpha—children who are growing up in a fully digital environment.

"The digital world has countless benefits, but it also carries risks. It is important that our younger generation learns to navigate it safely and responsibly," he said.