Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is ramping up efforts to arm rural communities with essential online safety skills, as part of its broader efforts to combat cyber threats, including the growing scourge of digital scams.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the latest initiative took the form of the Community Safe Internet Campaign Carnival in Sook district, 148 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu, with Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, who is also the Pensiangan Member of Parliament, officiating the event.

"Exposure to these skills is crucial for boosting digital literacy and strengthening the ability of rural communities to identify cyber risks with greater confidence and responsibility," MCMC said in a statement today.

This strategic programme to keep the digital space safe has also received strong cooperation from the Royal Malaysia Police, Bank Negara Malaysia, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living and the Malaysian Information Department.

Carnival participants were introduced to a range of critical internet safety topics, including financial fraud prevention, protection of women and children from online sexual crimes, and safe e-commerce practices.

To further strengthen awareness at the grassroots level, MCMC said it has appointed several individuals as "Internet Safety Heroes" from within the local community to help spread the message of safe internet use.

Arthur also visited the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) in Pekan Sook to assess the implementation of digital skills development initiatives and economic upliftment opportunities available to the local community.