KUCHING: Social networking sites can be fun but they are now gaining notoriety as a platform to defame and even blackmail people.

Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister Fadillah Yusof  said yesterday many reports were now being received from victims whose private collection or ‘superimposed’ photos were being posted on the Internet without their knowledge.

Fadillah Yusof

He said the usual suspects in the cases were spurned lovers who were believed to have set up accounts in the social networking sites to enable them to write false information and upload incriminating photos, as act of revenge.

“I know these social networking sites are very popular these days. But there are now many reports of people who had their private photos uploaded onto these sites or their faces ‘superimposed’ on the bodies of other people.

“A lot of bad people are now using the Internet to make threats, blackmail and defame others. So let’s be careful,” he said when opening Kampung Sungai Bedil’s ‘Lan Berambeh’ festival.

As such, he called on Internet users in Malaysia to be aware of not only their rights but also laws that could protect them.

He pointed out that cyber-crimes were committed almost daily in Malaysia and among the most common cases these days were money-cheating case involving online get-rich-quick schemes.

“Cyber Securities Malaysia, a company under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti), is able to detect and trace the wrongdoers. Already, there have been many cases that are being investigated and eventually solved.

“This shows that we in Malaysia have the means and capability to tackle cyber crimes,” he said.

Fadillah, who is Petra Jaya member of parliament, also revealed that Mosti would hold a science and technology week expo at Kuching Waterfront from Aug 1 to 3.

“One of the main programmes under the itinerary is a seminar on cyber security. So, I hope Internet users in Kuching can come and attend this event in order to increase their knowledge on this subject,” he said, adding that the expo was also held in connection with the state’s 45th anniversary of independence celebrations and Sarawak Regatta.

Some 20 entrepreneurs in the village took part in the products and services promotions mart held during the ‘Lan Berambeh’ festival yesterday.

Other activities included car boot sale, health screening, DBKU exhibition, recycling exhibition, cooking competition and demonstration, shuffle dance competition, children colouring contest, ‘teh tarik’ competition as well as exhibition booths set up by various banks and government agencies.

Sponsors for the event comprised Vico, Nestle, F&N and Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority.