Kuala lumpur: Awareness campaigns on online fraud or scams need to be strengthened and expanded to remote areas to protect rural communities from cyber threats that are increasing due to widespread internet access. Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil emphasized that efforts to raise awareness should not only concentrate on large-scale programmes in cities but should also extend to the grassroots level. This includes the involvement of Parent-Teacher Associations (PIBG), residents' associations, and Rukun Tetangga, aiming to provide direct exposure to the community and share true stories from victims of online fraud.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi highlighted the importance of taking awareness programs directly to town halls and villages, as not everyone can attend forums or campaigns held at hotels. He stressed that with internet access reaching remote villages, scammers can target these areas without physically being present, posing a significant challenge. Fahmi shared these insights at the launch of the National Anti-Scam Awareness Programme 2026, where Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) chief activist Datuk Nadzim Johan was also present.
Fahmi further revealed that from January 1 to yesterday, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had requested the removal of 476,516 online contents involving various categories of offences. Of this total, 302,139 were related to online gambling, and 128,312 involved fraudulent elements. Facebook recorded the highest number of requested removals for fraudulent content, with 67,115 instances, making up 52 per cent, followed by TikTok with 50,642 instances.
Social media platforms have a responsibility to prevent their services from being exploited for criminal activities like fraud or online gambling, Fahmi noted. He warned that platforms failing to ensure user safety could face fines of up to RM10 million under the country's online security legal framework. Additionally, he urged fraud victims to contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) via 997 immediately, as the centre now functions similarly to a police report. He noted that quick action within 15 to 30 minutes after an incident is crucial for authorities to block money transfers and potentially recover funds for victims.