ON Pulau Carey, off the coast of Selangor, the Orang Asli (indigenous people) community living there are located a fair distance from the nearest urban settlement.
However, thanks to progress, the island has broadband connectivity and many residents including the children have some kind of smartphone.
Most of the time, the smartphones are for making calls and playing games. However, the Internet has also become increasingly indispensable for accessing information, watching videos and social networking.
Eneng Faridah Iskandar, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) senior director for outreach and engagement, said navigating the Internet is like driving on the road:
“There will be signs and signals warning of risks, and motorists will have to react not out of fear, but by being prepared.
“Similarly, when we go into cyberspace, there will be risks involved.
“We don’t want Malaysians to be afraid of using the Internet, because that will hinder our progress.
“Our task is to open the eyes of the people, including young children, and make them aware of the risks and know how to react, so that when they encounter challenges like online scams and cyberbullying, they will be prepared, resilient and have confidence in dealing with it.”
Eneng said that those belonging to Generation Z are born in the Internet age.
“Internet is very much a part of our lives today, and our children need to explore what’s online to build experience and resilience,” she said.
“Sooner or later, one will encounter sites that are shocking or offensive, or be faced with scammers or cyberbullies. They need to be taught what to do in such instances, which is not to be adversely affected but instead remain calm and just report to the authorities if necessary.”
MCMC’s Klik Dengan Bijak (KDB or Click Wisely) unit’s mission is to bring this message to all corners of the country as Malaysia becomes more wired and connected.
Recently, to mark the Kuala Lumpur Converge conference, the team’s members were in SK (Orang Asli) Sungai Judah on Pulau Carey to engage the pupils as well as to show members of an Asean delegation, including five Ministers, how KDB programmes are being carried out in schools through interactive activities.
Led by Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, the event on Pulau Carey was also opened to the island community so as to introduce the concept of Internet safety and responsibility at home.
The activities during the half-day event included educational talks, live performances, interactive games such as the KDB Klik Hunter, speedball, colouring contest, treasure hunt and the Wheel of Knowledge.
KDB’s newly unveiled mascots Arif and Maya were also a hit with the pupils.
Singapore’s Minister for Communications and Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim said he was impressed by MCMC’s efforts in expanding broadband coverage to rural communities and opening up opportunities to learning and commerce.
“With the Internet being such a universal game changer, this programme of bridging the digital divide for the rural community has shown itself to be viable and now, the initiative should be shared with others in the region,” he said.
Headmaster Abd Rahman Ahmad was thrilled that his school was picked to host the visiting Asean delegation.
“This visit will help to raise the profile of the school, which is otherwise tucked away in a corner of Pulau Carey,” he said.
“So far, we have managed to make it from having just two second-hand PCs in 2011 to having broadband coverage and an Internet centre just around the corner.
“We are now prepared to embrace the digital age, and our pupils are ready to receive the knowledge and information from the outside world.”