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The Star
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Anti-bullying Act proposal to be presented to Cabinet soon, says Azalina
KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal to draft an Anti-Bullying Act is expected to be tabled at a Cabinet meeting soon, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. She said discussions at the policy level are crucial, as each relevant ministry, such as the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM), Education Ministry (MoE), Higher Education Ministry (MoHE), and National Unity Ministry may have their views regarding the enforcement aspects of the law. "After each ministry submits its feedback, the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) will conduct a detailed study and engagement sessions before the matter is brought to the policy level and subsequently to Parliament,' she said. She was speaking at the Asean Law Forum 2025 themed 'Empowering Access to Justice in the Asean Economic Community: Bridging Legal Cooperation for Inclusive Growth in the Digital Era' at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Wednesday (Aug 20). Azalina said the main issue currently is the absence of a specific definition of bullying or penalties for such offences under existing legal provisions. She said bullying-related cases are currently dealt with under various laws including the Online Safety Act, the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, labour laws as well as several provisions under the Penal Code. As such, BHEUU will soon issue a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to clarify the differences between the Penal Code and the Child Act, to avoid confusion among the public. "Many misunderstand… children can still be charged under criminal law. However, the procedure is different. For example, they cannot be tried in an open court. "I want to give assurance that wrong is still wrong. The law applies to everyone, whether children or adults,' she said. Azalina also said that MoE has outlined comprehensive procedures in addressing bullying cases in schools through a detailed guideline document. "I've seen the book, it's quite thick and it provides detailed, step-by-step instructions on what to do and how to resolve cases,' she said. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, at the Finance Ministry's Monthly Assembly in Putrajaya earlier today, said the proposal to establish a tribunal on bullying cases involving students and children will also be brought to the Cabinet meeting. The three-day Asean Law Forum 2025 gathered 58 speakers and moderators in 15 sessions, with over 300 participants from Asean and international bodies discussing various topics, including alternative dispute resolution, commercial law reform and human rights in the digital era. Among those present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran, Secretary of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (Uncitral) Anna Joubin-Bret, Timor-Leste's Justice Minister Sérgio de Jesus Fernandes da Costa Hornai and Laos' Deputy Justice Minister Ketsana Phommachanh. - Bernama


The Sun
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Over 13,000 Wi-Fi access points installed at public universities nationwide
SINTOK: More than 13,000 Wi-Fi access points have been installed so far across several public university campuses nationwide as part of the government initiative to enhance internet connectivity at public institutions of higher learning (IPTA), according to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said the Phase Two of installations is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed within the next five to six weeks. 'Out of the total 32,000 Wi-Fi access points planned for all public universities, approximately 13,000 to 14,000 have already been installed so far. We expect the remaining installations under Phase Two to be completed within the next five to six weeks. 'After Phase Two concludes, we'll begin discussions with the universities to assess whether further improvements are needed based on feedback from the first two phases. Any enhancements will be included in Phase Three of the rollout.' Fahmi said this to reporters after delivering a keynote address at a forum titled 'Cyber, Voice and Borders: Unravelling the Dynamics of Media Freedom in the Digital Era' at Universiti Utara Malaysia, here. Fahmi said that Phase Three of the Wi-Fi project is expected to commence later this year, with the ministry working closely with universities to verify installation sites before calling for tenders. 'Insya-Allah, we will also ensure that UUM's Wi-Fi connectivity issues are prioritised in Phase Three, and I've received confirmation from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) that UUM is one of the key focus locations,' he said. Beyond public universities, Fahmi said the Communications Ministry is also expanding this initiative to polytechnics and community colleges. On the forum itself, the minister said it serves as an important platform to emphasise the need for balance between media freedom, freedom of expression, and societal responsibility. 'I hope that with programmes like this, we can enhance discussions, particularly at public universities. 'This way, students will be more exposed to real-world challenges faced by the media industry, especially amid rapid changes brought by artificial intelligence, social media, and other evolving dynamics impacting mainstream journalism,' he added. Also present at the forum was Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) president Datuk Yong Soo Heong.


The Sun
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Over 13,000 Wi-Fi points installed at Malaysian IPTA
SINTOK: More than 13,000 Wi-Fi access points have been installed so far across several public university campuses nationwide as part of the government initiative to enhance internet connectivity at public institutions of higher learning (IPTA), according to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said the Phase Two of installations is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed within the next five to six weeks. 'Out of the total 32,000 Wi-Fi access points planned for all public universities, approximately 13,000 to 14,000 have already been installed so far. We expect the remaining installations under Phase Two to be completed within the next five to six weeks. 'After Phase Two concludes, we'll begin discussions with the universities to assess whether further improvements are needed based on feedback from the first two phases. Any enhancements will be included in Phase Three of the rollout.' Fahmi said this to reporters after delivering a keynote address at a forum titled 'Cyber, Voice and Borders: Unravelling the Dynamics of Media Freedom in the Digital Era' at Universiti Utara Malaysia, here. Fahmi said that Phase Three of the Wi-Fi project is expected to commence later this year, with the ministry working closely with universities to verify installation sites before calling for tenders. 'Insya-Allah, we will also ensure that UUM's Wi-Fi connectivity issues are prioritised in Phase Three, and I've received confirmation from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) that UUM is one of the key focus locations,' he said. Beyond public universities, Fahmi said the Communications Ministry is also expanding this initiative to polytechnics and community colleges. On the forum itself, the minister said it serves as an important platform to emphasise the need for balance between media freedom, freedom of expression, and societal responsibility. 'I hope that with programmes like this, we can enhance discussions, particularly at public universities. 'This way, students will be more exposed to real-world challenges faced by the media industry, especially amid rapid changes brought by artificial intelligence, social media, and other evolving dynamics impacting mainstream journalism,' he added. Also present at the forum was Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) president Datuk Yong Soo Heong.

Associated Press
12-02-2025
- Associated Press
Keeper Security Champions Cybersecurity in Education on Digital Learning Day
Amid a rise in cyber attacks targeting schools, Keeper® empowers educators with tools and strategies to protect students and their digital learning environments 'Cybersecurity isn't just a technical issue – it's a fundamental part of ensuring student safety and the protection of their sensitive personal information.' — Darren Guccione, CEO and Co-founder of Keeper Security LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, February 12, 2025 / / -- This Digital Learning Day, Keeper Security, the leading cybersecurity provider of zero-trust and zero-knowledge Privileged Access Management (PAM) software protecting passwords, passkeys, privileged accounts, secrets and remote connections, is calling for urgent action to address cybersecurity threats to education. In the wake of high-profile breaches like the recent PowerSchool breach in the US – which compromised Social Security numbers, grades and attendance records of thousands – administrators, educators and families face the collective challenge of protecting students and staff from the growing risks of cyber attacks. UK government data published in 2024 revealed the alarming scale of the threat, with 71% of secondary schools, 86% of further education colleges and 97% of higher education institutions reporting cyber attacks in the past year – highlighting the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity measures across the education sector. According to Keeper's report, Cybersecurity in Schools: Safeguarding Students in the Digital Era, 74% of parents express confidence in their child's school's cybersecurity measures, however only 21% report receiving any guidance on secure password management. Despite the critical importance of secure passwords, only 9% of schools offer access to password managers, leaving students and staff vulnerable to cyber threats. Furthermore, only 14% of schools mandate security awareness training, and a mere 13% offer it as an option, leaving most students ill-equipped to handle online threats. As classrooms continue to become more connected through digital learning platforms and administrative tools, the risk of cyber attacks continues to grow. Many schools lack dedicated IT resources with the dual challenge of aging infrastructure and limited budgets. These constraints, combined with the vast amounts of sensitive student and staff data stored in school systems, have made educational institutions an attractive target for cybercriminals. In 2024, 66% of higher education institutions reported ransomware attacks, emphasising the scale of this growing threat. 'Cybersecurity isn't just a technical issue – it's a fundamental part of ensuring student safety and the protection of their sensitive personal information,' said Darren Guccione, CEO and Co-founder of Keeper Security. 'Educational institutions must prioritise cybersecurity to create safe digital environments where students can thrive without fear of interruptions to their learning or breaches that can impact their lives for years to come.' From Risk to Resilience: Flex Your Cyber Keeper and its partners are addressing this growing threat through its Flex Your Cyber initiative, a public service program designed to provide school administrators with essential cybersecurity knowledge and critical resources, along with age-appropriate content for families, educators and students alike. With resources ranging from engaging lesson plans to enterprise-grade tools, the initiative supported by the National Cybersecurity Alliance, KnowBe4, and Williams Racing aims to arm the education sector with the knowledge and technology needed to defend against evolving threats. Research shows that 70% of ransomware attacks against higher education resulted in data encryption, highlighting the severe operational impact of these incidents. 'Digital Learning Day is about celebrating innovation in education,' said Guccione. 'But as we embrace technology, we must also ensure its responsible use. Flex Your Cyber provides the tools and strategies the education sector needs to help protect their communities and maintain trust in their digital systems.' Proven Strategies to Strengthen School Security Keeper encourages schools and universities to adopt actionable measures to secure their digital learning environments and reduce exposure to risks: - Enforce the use of strong, unique passwords and implement a password manager - Utilise a PAM solution like KeeperPAM® to secure sensitive systems, data and assets - Back up critical data and regularly test your backups - Require Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all logins - Implement regular cybersecurity training and phishing awareness - Actively monitor network and devices for suspicious activity - Develop and practice a cyber incident response plan - Identify and fix known security flaws, prioritising those that malicious actors are actively exploiting - Minimise exposure to common attacks by ensuring internet-connected devices are up-to-date A Shared Commitment to a Secure Digital Future Digital Learning Day is a celebration of technology's power to transform education, but it also serves as a call to action for the education system to protect students and staff in an increasingly digital world. By taking proactive measures and leveraging tools like those provided by Keeper Security, schools can create a safer, more resilient digital infrastructure. Keeper remains dedicated to supporting educators and administrators in this mission, ensuring that digital learning environments are not only innovative but also secure. To learn more about how Keeper Security's FedRAMP and StateRAMP Authorized cybersecurity solutions are protecting schools from cyber threats, visit or explore the vast Flex Your Cyber resources at About Keeper Security Keeper Security is transforming cybersecurity for millions of individuals and thousands of organizations globally. Built with end-to-end encryption, Keeper's intuitive cybersecurity platform is trusted by Fortune 100 companies to protect every user, on every device, in every location. Our patented zero-trust and zero-knowledge privileged access management solution unifies enterprise password, secrets and connections management with zero-trust network access and remote browser isolation. By combining these critical identity and access management components into a single cloud-based solution, Keeper delivers unparalleled visibility, security and control while ensuring compliance and audit requirements are met. Learn how Keeper can defend your organization against today's cyber threats at Charley Nash Eskenzi PR