KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has blocked 5,044 websites between 2015 and October last year.
Sabah Multimedia and Communications Ministry information executive councillor Datuk Sapawi Ahmad said those websites had violated the Communications and Multimedia Act 1988.
“There are 4,277 pornographic, obscene and seditious websites. The remaining websites contain elements of gambling, prostitution, cheating and piracy,” he said during a social media workshop themed “#Negaraku: The social media affair” here recently.
Sapawi, who is also Sipitang member of Parliament, said today’s technology could create social problems, besides making the Internet susceptible to abuse by youth.
Based on a study, he said, 77 per cent of Internet users were aged between 15 and 40.
Most users, he added, spent three hours surfing, and, on average, an individual had four social media accounts.
He said among the problems by Malaysians included the spread of fake information and cyber bullying, among others.
“The tech generation should learn the habit of verifying information before spreading it.
“MCMC recently launched the Sebenarnya.my portal, where people can check the validity of news,” he said.
Sapawi added that people could benefit from technology by generating income online.
He said in 2015, the digital economy contributed 17.8 percent to the national gross domestic product.