Minister of Interior Sar Kheng on September 6 convened a meeting with relevant authorities to discuss in detail the final drafting of the cybercrime law before submitting it to the Council of Ministers for review.

Comprised of eight chapters and 50 articles, the draft law is to ensure the integrity of the use, management and security of computer systems, devices and databases, and to crack down on cybercrime to protect security, public order and people’s rights and freedoms.

Chea Pov, director of the ministry’s Anti-Cybercrime Department, told The Post on September 6 that the drafting was now in its final stage, with the September 6 high-level meeting held to bring about further improvements and refinements.

“We have to push to ready this soon because we need it finalised to tackle technology-related [crime] in the country, especially those related to the internet,” he said.

Pov said that after being officially completed, the ministry would refer the draft to the Council of Ministers for deliberation and finalisation.

Sar Kheng said at the meeting that the ministry had been drafting the law since 2016, with the process involving many meetings and the participation of the US embassy in Cambodia.

“Consultations on the draft law also involved five major US companies, while on the Cambodian side, there has been inter-ministerial participation.

“This included the ministries of Post and Telecommunications; Information; Commerce; Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation; and Justice,” he said.

During the meeting, interior ministry secretary of state Bun Honn reported to Sar Kheng and those in attendance on the progress of the draft law before detailed discussions were held.

“This law applies to all activities related to information technology crimes affecting the security, public order and interests of the country, whether committed inside or outsides of the Kingdom,” Honn said.