Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will spearhead a delegation to Singapore next week for technical discussions with international social media platforms regarding mechanisms to curb cybercrime. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the discussions will focus on the need for the implementation of electronic Know-Your-Customer (eKYC) identity verification using MyKad, passport, or MyDigital ID to prevent cybercriminals from misusing social media platforms.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the goal is to curb criminals from misusing digital platforms, especially when there are fake sales, the sale of prohibited items such as narcotics, or scams on platforms like Facebook, which are prevalent. In the first nine months of this year, over 150,000 online gambling- and fraud-related content were recorded on Facebook. It takes 30 minutes to take down each content, which is considered a waste of time, Fahmi told reporters after officiating the launch of the 29th Public Service Psychology Conference at Angkasapuri Kota Media.
Also present at the launch was Public Service Department (PSD) director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz. Fahmi stated that criminals exploited the fast and affordable internet access in Malaysia to trap victims via false advertising of non-existent products, the promotion of banned substances, and scams. He highlighted the case of ophthalmologist Prof Datuk Dr Muhaya Mohamad, whose name has been used by fake accounts to sell fake products for the past two years.
Fahmi further announced that by the end of this year, the Online Safety Act (ONSA) will be enforced, making it compulsory for social media platforms to take comprehensive action to prevent harmful online content. The online safety committee under the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) will give instructions, while the MCMC will carry out enforcement, with one of the goals being ensuring children aged below 13 do not have social media accounts.
Earlier, in his speech, Fahmi emphasized the need for civil servants to strengthen their mental resilience and adopt the ‘Zero Trust’ principle in facing the infodemic era. He highlighted the importance of leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce workload and combat fake news, stressing that anyone, including national figures, can be a victim of misinformation and cyber fraud. A culture of information verification needs to be comprehensively practised in the civil service, he added.
On the psychological risks within organisations, Fahmi revealed internal screening data showing that 1.17 million civil servants had undergone Psychological Health Digital Profiling (MyPsyD), with five per cent identified as being at high risk. Another 35 per cent were identified as being at moderate risk for mental health. He urged leadership to be more sensitive, provide reasonable working space, and promote teamwork.
Fahmi reminded civil servants to comply with discipline when using social media. The 29th Public Service Psychology Conference, themed ‘AI dan Pesona Diri: Kemandirian di Era Infodemik’ (AI and Personal Charisma: Resilience in the Infodemic Era), focuses on the role of AI as a complement to human thinking and efforts to strengthen the mental resilience of civil servants.