State Council Concludes Deliberations on Draft Cybercrime Law

State Council Reviews Draft Law to Combat Cybercrimes

Muscat: The State Council today concluded its deliberations on the “Draft Law on Combating Cybercrimes” during its third session of the third ordinary sitting of its eighth term.

The session, chaired by Sheikh Abdulmalik bin Abdullah Al Khalili, Chairman of the Council, addressed a series of legislative projects and amendments. The Council underscored the importance of the recent constructive meeting with the Council of Ministers, which was held in accordance with the Council of Oman Law.

This engagement reflects a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation and sustained coordination between the Council of Ministers, the Council of Oman, and all state institutions to establish common visions that advance national goals, strategic plans and development programs.

During the session, the Council examined the “Draft Law on Combating Cybercrimes.” In his presentation, Dr. Hamad bin Salim Al Rawahi, Head of the Technology and Innovation Committee, emphasized that the legislative framework governing cybersecurity must remain responsive to the continuous and rapid developments within this vital field to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.

The Council also reviewed the Social and Cultural Committee’s advisory opinion on the “Draft Law Amending Certain Provisions of the Cultural Heritage Law.” Dr. Mohammed bin Said Al Hajri, Head of the Social and Cultural Committee, clarified that the proposed amendments aim to empower relevant authorities with enhanced capabilities to protect and manage archaeological sites, historical landmarks and cultural heritage assets in line with advanced international standards. This will be achieved through the establishment of clear, well-defined mechanisms for the official registration, administrative oversight and legal safeguarding of these sites.

Additionally, the session discussed a study prepared by the Special Committee regarding the “Mechanism for Diversifying Income Sources in the Sultanate of Oman.” Sheikh Dr. Hilal bin Ali Al Hinai, Head of the Special Committee, outlined the study’s objectives, which include identifying challenges to fiscal sustainability and income diversification, pinpointing areas of inefficiency and financial leakage, proposing actionable solutions to overcome obstacles to progress and offering recommendations to ensure the stability of public finances within the Eleventh Five-Year Plan framework, with a focus on legislative and governance reforms.