Kuala lumpur: Today's young generation must stay alert to online risks and threats that can expose them to cyberbullying, privacy breaches, and personal safety dangers. Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin emphasized the importance of safe internet use, which relies not only on technology but also on users' sense of responsibility and awareness. She urged students, especially those in tertiary institutions, to equip themselves with cybersecurity knowledge.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nur-ul Afida highlighted that every online interaction carries consequences and stressed that the future success of organizations and the nation depends on a generation that is technologically literate, ethical, and responsible in the digital space. She made these remarks at the 2025 National Journalists' Day (HAWANA 2025) Roadshow with Polytechnic Students at Ibrahim Sultan Polytechnic (PIS).

In attendance were Bernama editor-in-chief and HAWANA 2026 Working Committee deputy chairman Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, deputy editor-in-chief and HAWANA 2026 project manager Mohd Shukri Ishak, Polytechnic and Community College Education Department director Azirin Abdul Aziz, and PIS deputy director Tengku Nadzion Tengku Ibrahim.

Nur-ul Afida also discussed the Communications Ministry's enforcement of the Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA), effective from January 1, which aims to strengthen the digital ecosystem and address online harm through clearer regulation of digital platforms. The ONSA is expected to curb harmful content and cybercrime, ensuring a safer online environment for vulnerable groups like children and families.

Expressing hope for the HAWANA Roadshow with Students Program to empower undergraduates as strategic media partners, she noted its role in building an informed and responsible society. The program, organized with Ibrahim Sultan Polytechnic and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), saw participation from over 500 students and lecturers.

The program builds on the success of its 2024 edition, which attracted around 2,000 students and lecturers from 16 public universities. During the event, smart televisions were presented to six institutions, including PIS, Mersing Johor Polytechnic, and others.