Safe Internet Campaign Held At 19 Ramadan Bazaars Nationwide

KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 (Bernama) -- The lively atmosphere at Ramadan bazaars in 19 locations nationwide today not only drew crowds looking for food to break their fast but also served as a platform to raise awareness on online safety through the Safe Internet Campaign (KIS)@ Bazar Ramadan 2026.

The campaign, organised by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), featured various activities including interactive sessions on internet safety, demonstrations on activating parental controls and engagement programmes with bazaar visitors.

In the capital city, MCMC distributed 500 Ramadan kits at the IWK Eco Park Pantai Dalam Ramadan Bazaar, containing campaign pamphlets to help increase public understanding of online safety.

Bazaar visitor Rabiatul Adawiyah Idris, 40, described the campaign’s presence at popular community locations as an effective way to deliver messages and exposure on internet safety, particularly on issues involving children online.

“Programmes like this help raise awareness on the safe use of the internet, especially among children aged 16 and below,” she said when met today.

Meanwhile in PAHANG, the campaign at the Tasik Abu Bakar Ramadan Bazaar in Pekan received an encouraging response, with the MCMC booth attracting visitors as early as 4 pm.

MCMC senior director (Eastern Region) Mohd Fairus Mohamad said the campaign provides direct exposure to the public on risks associated with internet misuse such as online scams, cyberbullying and the spread of fake news, compared with earlier programmes that mainly targeted students.

In TERENGGANU, a visitor at the Shahbandar Ramadan Bazaar in Kuala Terengganu, Maheran Mohamed, 38, said the campaign was timely given the rise in cybercrime cases in recent years and highlighted the need for the public, especially parents, to increase their knowledge to better protect their children.

At the Bertam Putra Ramadan Bazaar in PENANG, the MCMC booth also featured demonstrations on activating parental controls on applications, along with the distribution of 500 Ramadan kits containing campaign pamphlets.

Private sector employee Emi Nashellah Zulkifly, 41, said outreach programmes held in open public spaces were more effective in delivering information directly to the public compared with closed programmes targeting specific groups.

Meanwhile in NEGERI SEMBILAN, state MCMC director Md Tahir Musa said the commission’s booth at the Metropark Sendayan Ramadan Bazaar received an encouraging response from as early as 3 pm. Visitors were given information and tips on cyber safety, including how to recognise online scam tactics, protect personal data and what to do if they become victims of cybercrime.

The campaign was also held at several other locations including the Section 13 Ramadan Bazaar in Shah Alam, SELANGOR; Stadium Sultan Muhammad IV in Kota Bharu, KELANTAN; Sultan Azlan Shah Ramadan Bazaar in Meru Raya, PERAK; MITC Ayer Keroh Ramadan Bazaar in MELAKA; and the Arau Ramadan Bazaar in PERLIS.

It was also organised in Sabah and Sarawak, where communities took the opportunity to obtain information on safe internet practices.

The KIS booth at the Sabindo Ramadan Bazaar in Tawau, SABAH continued to attract visitors eager to learn more about safe internet use, particularly after the government enforced a law prohibiting social media use among individuals aged 16 and below.

In SARAWAK, the booth at the Stutong Ramadan Bazaar in Kuching was crowded from as early as 2 pm, with many visitors seeking information on online scams.

MCMC Kuching branch director Scott Kueh Sui Yek said apart from today’s programme, the commission actively conducts similar initiatives in primary and secondary schools to raise awareness on safe internet use among students.

He added that the campaign will also be expanded to communities, including parents and local residents, to ensure wider awareness on internet safety.

Meanwhile in JOHOR, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said the Safe Internet Campaign, which began in January 2025, was also held today at the Temenggong Kulai Ramadan Bazaar to engage directly with the public on the importance of media literacy.

She said organising the campaign at bazaars enables the ministry and MCMC to interact with various groups, including parents and children.

Teo added that such programmes should be carried out continuously to enhance digital literacy among Malaysians, particularly on safe internet use, the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) and scam prevention.

-- BERNAMA