Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim highlights public education alongside enforcement as the core strategy to combat online fraud through the National Scam Response Centre.
CYBERJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has emphasised that enhancing public awareness is the central strategy in combating online fraud, alongside enforcement measures and strengthened operations through the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC).
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail relayed the Prime Minister’s brief message delivered during his visit to the NSRC operations centre at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) building.
The Prime Minister wants public awareness programmes intensified to ensure the public does not easily fall victim to online scams, according to Saifuddin.
“The Prime Minister stressed the importance of awareness programmes, so that we do not end up getting involved (becoming scam victims), which is sometimes driven by greed, or by offers that are perceived as highly lucrative if one chooses to participate,” he told reporters after the launch.
Saifuddin added that the government is strengthening operations, coordination among agencies, and amending legal provisions to curb cybercrime.
He highlighted amendments to Section 424 of the Penal Code, enforced in October 2024, which allow action against individuals who knowingly permit their accounts to be used by scam syndicates as financial instruments.
“Previously, it was difficult to take action against account holders who allowed others to use their accounts, but now, if a person knowingly allows their account to be used, it constitutes an offence under the law,” he explained.
The government has also strengthened the NSRC’s capacity with an additional 82 personnel operating around the clock.
Saifuddin noted that an increase in complaints and calls indicates growing public confidence in the centre.
He stressed that all enforcement efforts would be meaningless without a corresponding change in public awareness levels.
“That is why we need to mobilise all available potential and resources, including the Commercial Crime Division of Bukit Aman, Bank Negara Malaysia, the MCMC, and the National Financial Crime Prevention Centre (NFCC),” he said.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil urged the public to immediately contact the 997 hotline if they become fraud victims.
“Insya-Allah, prompt calls from victims will enable banks to block the funds more quickly,” Fahmi said.
