MCMC Kicks Off Advocacy Campaign Pilot Project At Sungai Tonggang Orang Asli Village

IPOH, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- The Orang Asli Village of Sungai Tonggang, Hulu Kinta, near here, has been selected as the location for the pilot project of the advocacy campaign by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to empower the Orang Asli community.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the three-month pilot project involves awareness and digital safety programmes for students aged seven to 17, with six learning sessions at the nearby National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI).

"Three briefing sessions are also provided for parents and teachers. I request that additional programmes be included, collaborating with influencers to better use these opportunities," he said during his speech at the advocacy programme launch themed From Roots to Routes: Boosting Economic Development and Social Empowerment for Orang Asli Sungai Tonggang today.

Fahmi said that he appreciates the efforts and assistance of all strategic partners such as the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa), the State Education Department, the Social Welfare Department, the Royal Malaysia Police, Pos Malaysia, the Perak Women's Secretariat, and the Perak State Entrepreneur Secretariat in supporting the programme.

Fahmi hopes that students will make good use of the internet while advising them not to imitate everything they see online, as some things can serve as good examples, while others should be set as boundaries.

"Some things are worth following, such as learning mathematics, science, and similar subjects—those should be utilised. As for the other things, it's better to reduce them," he said.

At the same time, amid the excitement of using the increasingly fast internet, Fahmi advised the public to be cautious of cybercrime threats.

"Criminals are faster than the fast internet. So, to avoid becoming victims of scams, online fraud, and other crimes, I urge MCMC to immediately and continually conduct briefings and information sessions.

"If possible, I want the Tok Batin (Orang Asli village chief) always to receive updates so that he can inform the community about the latest scam methods. Because when we close one route, they (criminals) find another way in. Once we discovered about one method of deception, they try another," he said.

After the ceremony, Fahmi visited the telecommunications tower in the Sungai Tonggang Orang Asli Village under the National Digital Network (JENDELA), which has been fully operational since October.

The 60-metre-high tower, handed over to CelcomDigi, benefits approximately 1,000 residents in the area.

Also present were the New Infrastructure Division head of Edotco Group Sdn Bhd, Megat Mohammad Megat Omar, and the head of the PPS Management Department, Corporate Affairs of CelcomDigi Sdn Bhd, Mohd Nizam Mohamad.

The Orang Asli village had previously received Starlink satellite internet service installed in the community hall to provide digital services to the villagers.

-- BERNAMA