KUCHING, March 23: Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) will focus on enhancing its enforcement by upskilling officers to detect and tackle cyber crime such as online scams more seriously.
Highlighting this, KPDNHEP Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi recognised the fact that cyber criminals were a growing threat to digital economy which growth was accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Going forward (post Covid-19), the Ministry is looking into enhancing our enforcement by upskilling and equipping officers with knowledge on cyber crime which is a sophisticated and complex activity.
“Perhaps, we will request (for a budget) from the (federal government) to allow our officers to go for special courses like forensic accounting or other relevance on how to detect online or digital scams,” he said during an interview on TVS’ Twenty30 show today.
Despite the challenges, Nanta also recognised the need to help local businesses tapped into and exploit disruptions in the digital world not only to keep up with the rapid changes of global business but also evolved their business model.
“This also include helping businesses to have better understanding and awareness of the law and regulation to prevent and avoid frauds and scams.
“Consumers also need to have better awareness of their rights and cyber crime threats so as to protect themselves. We should not be gullible,” he added.
Nanta, who is also Kapit member of Parliament (MP), noted that businesses and consumers’ dramatic transition from brick-and-mortar stores to online, proved that digital technology is here to stay as an important integral of this new age.
He was proud that Sarawak under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg was ahead and leading Malaysia in the transformation into digital economy even before Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is a proactive move in which many have cast doubt of the idea being too futuristic for Sarawak. And it took Covid-19 pandemic for people to believe that he (Abang Johari) did the right thing.
“In the national level, the Prime Minister (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) has also recently announced and launched the national digitalisation of the economy agenda. So this is in line with what’s happening globally especially in advanced countries.
“We are in the right direction and the future of our economy is bright,” he said. — DayakDaily
