File photo for illustration purposes only. Source: Yurii Klymko/Getty Images via Canva

Advertisement

By Dayangku Hidayatul

KUCHING, Oct 20: Sarawak recorded 8,576 cybercrime cases involving losses of RM289.20 million from 2024 to September 2026, according to Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) statistics.

Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the figures were alarming, as online crimes not only caused financial losses but also affected individuals’ psychosocial stability and family well-being.

Advertisement

“To address this threat, the Ministry conducted the Anti-Scam Literacy Course in Sibu in June 2026, as well as the Wacana Bestari: Click Smart, Beware of Cybercrime programmes in Miri in August and Kuching in September 2026,” she said.

She said this during her ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.

Fatimah said a total of 438 participants had been exposed to cybercrime modus operandi, preventive measures, personal data protection, and available reporting and assistance channels through the initiatives.

She added that the ministry would continue to strengthen digital safety literacy to enhance the public’s ability to respond to cyber threats and reduce the risk of falling victim to scams.