MATTA Applauds The Move To Establish A Special Cyber Court

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 July 2016: Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) President Datuk Hj Hamzah Rahmat has welcome the report that a Special Cyber Court to judge criminal offences under the cyber laws will start operations in Kuala Lumpur in September, as announced by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman.

The Minister said cyber-attacks such as hacking, online scams, botnets, web defacement, information theft, spying, cyber gambling, pornography and other crimes are rising at an alarming trend, and a Special Cyber Court with well-trained judges and enforcement officers are needed to curb such illegal activities.

Hamzah pointed out “In the tourism industry, licensed travel agencies are also competing online but many individuals offering travel services over the internet are not registered locally. This is mandatory under the Tour Operating Business and Travel Agency Business (TOBTAB), which also requires a physical office approved by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.”

“This will allow dissatisfied customers to seek redress but they could not do so if the business is operating only in cyberspace, which cheated consumers have no recourse. Unscrupulous individuals will no longer get away with impunity once enforcement, prosecution and trial are beefed up.”

“Sadly, many Malaysians have been cheated over the internet and via social media such as Facebook, and these include Umrah tour packages. The Cyber Court will facilitate the Ministry of Tourism and Culture to prosecute culprits operating illegally without licence swiftly and efficiently.”

“We are pleased that the Government is taking into account the views of concerned NGOs and MATTA is ready to engage with the authorities tasked to check cybercrimes so that consumers and licensed operators are protected, and online businesses pay tax to the Malaysian Government”, concluded Hamzah.