PUTRAJAYA, Nov 1 ― Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak has been appointed as chairman of the Cabinet Committee to tackle cyber crime issues.

Announcing the matter at the National Social Council town hall session here today, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the appointment of Salleh was apt as cyber crime issues also involved Internet addiction among the people.

"Gadgets can bring good and harm to the people. Among the symptoms of Internet addiction is the feeling of disappointment, angry and anxiety if one is unable to surf the internet.

"Those who are addicted to the internet will spend too much time thinking about what is happening online or in the cyber space rather than what is happening in reality or in front of them,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid said 2,341 complaints were received by the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) between January and April this year, mostly involving offensive, false, obscene and seditious comments, which made up the top four categories of complaints.

Other complaints recorded were related to sextortion, hacking, internet scam, online purchase and intimidation.

Meanwhile, he said for the year 2014 and 2015, most cyber crime cases recorded by the MCMC was on e-commerce, compared to other cyber crimes, such as telecommunication fraud, phishing, hacking and intellect property.

In fact, the number of cyber crime cases involving e-commerce showed a steep increase from 2,018 cases in 2014 to 4,087 cases in 2015, he added. ― Bernama