Cybersecurity Awareness Must Start At Home And School, Says Mustapha

KOTA KINABALU, June 20 (Bernama) -- Awareness of cybersecurity must begin at home and in schools to ensure that parents and children do not fall victim to online crimes, including cyberbullying, scams and hacking, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.

He said early exposure to the risks associated with Internet use is crucial, as cyber threats are becoming increasingly intertwined with daily life, particularly among the younger generation.

“As we are all aware, there are now many cases of cyberbullying, scams and hacking that occur while we are surfing the Internet. In Sabah alone, scam cases recorded 321 complaints last year, while another 152 complaints have been recorded up to the second quarter of this year. We hope this figure will continue to decline.

“As for hacking cases, a total of 159 complaints were recorded last year, while 30 complaints have been recorded up to the second quarter of this year,” he said when officiating the Kota Kinabalu District Safe Internet Campaign Community Carnival 2026 at Kampung Darau Laut here today.

More than 500 visitors attended the carnival organised by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), which also featured interactive Internet safety learning experiences through Virtual Reality (VR) technology, as well as a live podcast session themed “Safe Internet, Shared Responsibility” involving panellists from various backgrounds.

Mustapha said efforts to curb cybercrime should be prioritised at the school level, as changes in attitude and awareness among the younger generation need to be nurtured from an early age.

He said the key message that should be conveyed to students is to ensure they understand the dangers of cybercrime and refrain from becoming involved in such activities.

Mustapha also advised Internet users, particularly in Sabah, to remain vigilant, verify the authenticity of information sources and avoid disclosing confidential personal information online.

“Do not reveal any of our confidential personal information through the Internet or in cyberspace. Such information can be exploited by irresponsible parties, and we do not want the people of Sabah, in particular, to become victims,” he said.

The programme also featured various community activities, including Internet safety exhibitions, a Bajau Samah singing competition and an e-sports competition.

-- BERNAMA