Youth Urged To Stay Cyber-savvy, Vigilant Of Risks And Threats - Bernama CEO

JOHOR BAHRU, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Today’s young generation must stay alert to online risks and threats that can expose them to cyberbullying, privacy breaches and personal safety dangers.

Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin said that safe internet use depends not only on technology but also on users’ sense of responsibility and awareness.

As such, she said students, especially those in tertiary institutions, must equip themselves with cybersecurity knowledge.

“Every click, every share and every online decision carries consequences...I believe that the future success of organisations and the nation hinges on a generation that is not only technologically literate, but also ethical and responsible in the digital space,” she said at the 2025 National Journalists' Day (HAWANA 2025) Roadshow with Polytechnic Students at Ibrahim Sultan Polytechnic (PIS) today.

Also present were Bernama editor-in-chief cum HAWANA 2026 Working Committee deputy chairman Arul Rajoo Durar Raj and deputy editor-in-chief cum HAWANA 2026 project manager Mohd Shukri Ishak, along with Polytechnic and Community College Education Department director (Student Recruitment and Development) Azirin Abdul Aziz and PIS deputy director (Academics) Tengku Nadzion Tengku Ibrahim.

In her speech, Nur-ul Afida also highlighted the Communications Ministry’s enforcement of the Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA), which took effect on Jan 1, aimed at strengthening the digital ecosystem and addressing the growing threat of online harm through clearer regulation of digital platforms.

She said the ONSA would help curb the spread of harmful content and cybercrime while ensuring a safer online environment, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and families.

Expressing hope that the HAWANA Roadshow with Students Programme would continue to empower undergraduates as strategic media partners, she said it plays a key role in building an informed and responsible society.

More than 500 students and lecturers participated in the programme, organised in collaboration with Ibrahim Sultan Polytechnic and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

The HAWANA Roadshow with Students programme builds on the success of the 2024 edition, which attracted some 2,000 students and lecturers from 16 public universities, with 17 contributions made to selected universities.

During the event, Nur-ul Afida also presented smart televisions to six institutions, including PIS, Mersing Johor Polytechnic, Tun Syed Nasir Syed Ismail Polytechnic, METrO Johor Bahru Polytechnic, Segamat Community College, and Johor Skills Development Centre.

-- BERNAMA