The Ministry of Communications, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), has launched the Safe Internet Campaign Tour in schools across the Northern Zone, aiming to enhance online safety and foster a robust digital community.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil stated that Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Ulu Melaka marks the starting point for the Northern Zone segment of the tour, which will then extend to other schools in the region. He said, “We are starting at SK Ulu Melaka but will later move on to 21 primary schools and seven secondary schools throughout the Langkawi district.”
Datuk Fahmi Fadzil explained, “The intention is to deliver the message especially to primary school students to avoid using social media and to raise awareness among parents about the benefits and dangers of social media and the internet,” addressing reporters after initiating the Northern Zone Safe Internet Campaign Tour.
In attendance were the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Communications, Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, MCMC Commissioner General (Rtd) Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin.
Fahmi indicated the tour will be broadened to other zones subsequently, with the objective of reaching more than 10,200 schools nationwide by the year’s end. He noted, “It’s not an easy task, but I have asked MCMC to leverage its network with NADI (National Information Dissemination Centres). We have 1,099 NADI centres across the country and 1,878 MADANI Community groups under the Information Department nationwide. We also aim to collaborate with Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs)… and with Student Representative Councils at public institutions of higher learning to help reach out to schools as a start.”
The programme today saw participation from over 1,800 individuals, including students from 22 schools, teachers, parents, community leaders and representatives from multiple relevant agencies.
This campaign builds on ongoing initiatives to improve digital literacy among the public, particularly children and teenagers, in tackling challenges like cyberbullying, online scams, cyber gambling, and child sexual exploitation.
Throughout the year, more than 100,000 participants from the northern zone, including Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak, are anticipated to engage in the campaign. The initial phase of the campaign began at SK Bidor 2 in Tapah, Perak, which hosted the launch on 10 April.
