By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 28: Sarawakians, regardless of age, must remain vigilant and well-informed about cyber threats and scam tactics to safeguard their properties and personal safety.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian stressed the importance of this awareness due to the prevalent online scam cases not only in Sarawak but also on a global scale, where individuals have not only lost their life savings but also found themselves stranded overseas and emotionally deceived.
“Given the continuous evolution of technology and artificial intelligence, the spectrum of cybersecurity threats and online scams will continue to expand.
“As technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, with smartphones being indispensable, it’s evident that staying updated and informed about cyber knowledge, including recognising risks and scam strategies, is imperative,” he emphasised.
He highlighted this when addressing a seminar on how to avoid scams organised by the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) at its headquarters today.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, underscored that it is the responsibility of every individual to acquire knowledge and remain updated to effectively shield themselves from falling victim to scams, thereby preventing property loss, including fraudulent schemes such as employment or romance scams.
“Remember, if something appears too good to be true, it probably is. So don’t believe it. Exercise caution when receiving content with attached links and avoid clicking on them impulsively, especially in today’s landscape, where the destination of such links is uncertain and could compromise your information.
“We cannot impede technological progress. Instead, we must continuously learn and stay abreast of these developments,” he added, emphasising the necessity of ongoing education in cybersecurity.
The seminar was conducted by SUPP Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) chief Milton Foo. — DayakDaily
