Think first before 'clicking': MCMC

KUALA LUMPUR: Think rationally, and not emotionally before 'clicking' when surfing the internet to ensure the action will not impact negatively on oneself and the nation.

Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) outreach and engagement division head Eneng Faridah Iskandar said the 17.5 million local internet users must stress on security, alertness and responsibility when in cyber space.

In an interview with Bernama, she said the three aspects were crucial to ensure society, specifically children and youths, used the internet wisely and carefully.

To be safer on the internet, she said consumers must equip themselves with knowledge of cyber crimes, how they were perpetrated and steps that should be taken if one was trapped in such crimes.

"A consumer updates his Facebook, saying no one will be home as he is spending a few days in his hometown, without realising that there are those among his friends and others who may take advantage of the situation.

"Maybe, consumers, specifically children, don't really understand the effect and impact of their actions," added Eneng Faridah.

She stressed on the need for consumers to be alert when receiving any information on the internet, by scrutinising the source of the information to determine it was legitimate.

She further said internet users must be responsible for any information which was spread and shared on cyber space.

"They must be responsible for the comments they give, just like those who share photographs. Many among us are quick to over-react and give negative comments without realising the repercussion," she said.

Eneng Faridah said, if internet users found information which was said to insult or instigate, lodging a police report was the best move and not circulating it on the social sites without checking its authencity.

"If we spread the issue, it can incite the community and worsen the situation. We must consider the best way to tackle such issues.

"Even if the case is not big, it could become so because of the impact of the social media. This is not limited to cyber crimes but other crimes, as well," she said.

She drew attention to the fact that abuse of the internet could be dealt with, using numerous laws. "The Communications and Multimedia Act does not have the power to arrest or detain. We only summon the errant individuals to record their statements before we submit the cases to the public prosecutors."

Eneng Faridah said Malaysians possessed internet facilities, other than smart phones which they could use limitlessly.

As such, to create awareness among society on the ethical, positive and safe use of the internet, MCMC organised a 'Click Wisely' (KDB) campaign which was launched in July last year.

She said, MCMC, through the KDB campaign, planned to open accounts on social websites to approach target groups, specifically children and youths more effectively.

"Furthermore, we will escalate our collaborations with several ministries and agencies this year. Recently, we cooperated with the defence ministry, through the National Service Training Programme and the scouts association to hold numerous awareness programmes," added Eneng Faridah.

Currently, MCMC is cooperating with the ministries of women, family and community development, education, youth and sport, science, technology and innovation Ministry; the police and the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Content Forum to carry out the campaign.