05/05/2026

TUESDAY | MAY 5, 2026

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

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Malay language gains ground in China

Age checks protect kids online

KUALA LUMPUR: Restricting access to social media for those under 16 years has been described as a critical “digital shield” against cybercrime threats targeting children, following alarming findings from Op Cyber Guardian by the police. The large-scale operation uncovered nearly 500,000 child sexual abuse material (CSAM) files and led to the arrest of 69 individuals, including civil servants, raising urgent concerns over online child safety. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia cybersecurity expert Prof Dr Siti Norul Huda Sheikh Abdullah said age verification systems must be prioritised as the first line of defence against predators. “Age verification as the first barrier is considered effective as it can prevent predators from directly engaging with children in open social media spaces.” She explained that technologies such as Electronic Know-Your-Customer (e-KYC) and digital identity can reduce fake accounts often used to conceal perpetrators’ identities. Centralised systems like MyDigital ID, she added, would allow authorities and platforms to detect suspicious activities such as cyber grooming more quickly. Norul Huda, who chairs Cyber Security Academia Malaysia, said early prevention through age checks is more effective than reacting after exploitation occurs. She stressed that children’s digital safety must be a shared responsibility among service providers, users, and authorities. She noted that enforcement of such systems could strengthen the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 by providing stronger digital trails for investigations and prosecutions. Verified identities would help police trace accounts and conduct cyber intelligence operations more strategically. The initiative, she said, aligns with international safety standards such as NIST IR 8525 and ISO/IEC 27566-1:2025, which emphasise privacy and data security. Additional safeguards like toxic communication detection and behavioural profiling could further identify grooming activities. On March 31, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil confirmed the government will restrict new social media accounts for children under 16, with implementation expected mid-year. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: A desire to savour the rich taste of fresh durian, the king of fruits and to witness Malaysia’s beautiful beaches firsthand inspired Yang Zhi Jun from Chengdu, China, to learn and master the Malay language. The 21-year-old, who chose to pursue Malay studies at Chengdu University of Foreign Languages, had dreamed of visiting Malaysia for the past three years. That dream became a reality in late April o From durian dreams to job prospects, Chinese youths embrace Malaysia firsthand

Participants and organisers pose for a group photo at the close of the 2026 China-Malaysia Youth Language and Cultural Interaction Camp, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties through language, culture and youth leadership. – BERNAMAPIC

when the third-year student arrived in Malaysia as one of 59 participants in the 2026 China-Malaysia Youth Language and Cultural Interaction Camp, organised by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) in collaboration with 13 higher education institutions in China. Held from April 27 to 30, the camp aimed to strengthen bilateral ties between Malaysia and China in education, particularly through the

“This creates job opportunities for students and offers a practical pathway for building careers in Malaysia while broadening their global outlook,” she said. Statistics from Malaysia’s Home Ministry show that as of Aug 15 last year there were 30,679 Chinese nationals registered as professional expatriates in Malaysia. Under the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, 26,162 mainland Chinese nationals were residing in Malaysia as of December 2024, holding long-term visas for retirement, education and investment purposes. Meanwhile, DBP chairman and National Laureate Datuk Dr Anwar Ridhwan said language is not merely a tool of communication but also a vehicle of thought, a carrier of values, and a reflection of a nation’s civilisation. “In international relations, language serves as a bridge connecting differences in culture, history and world views. “When Chinese citizens learn Malay, they are not just learning a language or exploring a culture, they are gaining an advantage by understanding the soul of the Malaysian people, fostering cultural appreciation, expanding educational and career opportunities, and strengthening regional cooperation. “As the Malay proverb goes – tak kenal maka tak cinta – one cannot love what one does not know.”

Malaysia and are earning well. For a brighter future, I chose to major in Malay at university. “Although it was challenging at first, especially in terms of pronunciation and grammar, our lecturers, who are Malay teachers fluent in Mandarin, helped us a lot not only in mastering the language but also in understanding Malay culture and traditions,” she said.

Director of the Centre for Malaysian Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), Prof Dr Su Ying Ying said the increasingly close Malaysia-China relations in recent years have encouraged people from both countries to learn each other’s languages and better understand their cultures. She noted that Malaysia is widely seen in China as a culturally rich, safe and welcoming country, making it an attractive travel destination. “Malaysia’s cultural diversity is a major draw. Many parents in China strongly support their children in pursuing Malay studies. “In addition, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has played a significant role in boosting interest in the Malay language, as many related projects are being carried out between Malaysia and China, with numerous major Chinese companies establishing operations here.

promotion of the Malay language, cultural exchange and youth leadership development. Yang ( pic ), who also goes by her Malay name Zarina, could hardly contain her excitement when sharing her experience with Bernama. “Our visit was short, just three days, but I had the chance to taste real durian at Jalan Alor in Bukit Bintang. “In China, we usually get frozen durians imported from Malaysia, but if you want to taste fresh durian straight from the spiky fruit, you have to go to Malaysia,” she said. Another participant, 20-year-old Ratna Chen, a third-year Malay language major at Sichuan International Studies University (Sisu), said her decision to learn Malay was influenced by the wide range of career opportunities in Malaysia, often highlighted by friends and family back home. “Many seniors have secured good jobs in