SOOK: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is ramping up efforts to arm rural communities with essential online safety skills, as part of broader efforts to combat cyber threats, including the growing scourge of digital scams.
The latest initiative takes the form of the Community Safe Internet Campaign Carnival in Sook district, 148km from Kota Kinabalu, with Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, who is also the Pensiangan MP, launching the event.
“Exposure to these skills is crucial for boosting digital literacy and strengthening the ability of rural communities to identify cyber risks with greater confidence and responsibility,” MCMC said in a statement yesterday.
This strategic programme to keep the digital space safe has also received strong cooperation from the police, Bank Negara Malaysia, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and the Information Department, Bernama reported.
Carnival participants were introduced to a range of critical Internet safety topics, including financial fraud prevention, protection of women and children from online sexual crimes and safe e-commerce practices.
To further strengthen awareness at the grassroots level, MCMC said it has appointed several individuals as “Internet Safety Heroes” from within the local community to help spread the message of safe Internet use.
Arthur also visited the National Information Dissemination Centre in Pekan Sook to assess the implementation of digital skills development initiatives and economic uplifting opportunities available to the local community.
