KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia needs more experts in cybersecurity to ensure that the dark web does not become an easy instrument for illegal activities including arms trafficking.
National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) defence and security expert Professor Dr Mohd Mizan Mohammad Aslam said the government should invest more in capacity-building in order to have competent individuals in addressing challenges to deal with the underground internet.
"We still lack the capacity to counter these kinds of activities.
"It's not an easy job; it's an uphill battle and we need help not only from our enforcement agencies, but also those in the region and Interpol, among others.
"We don't want people to have access to firearms and weapons; we have to make sure that the alternative platform can't be used for these types of activities (selling and buying of firearms)," he said when contacted.
Mohd Mizan also agreed to the idea of installing a fence and closed-circuit television (CCTV) proposed by the police as part of the measures to strengthen border security.
"The CCTV display, for example, should also be made accessible to the nation's top leaders such as the Inspector-General of Police, prime minister and the (relevant) minister.
"Cross-border enforcement should be enhanced from time to time as criminals are always steps ahead."
Kelantan police chief Datuk Hasanuddin Hassan was reported as saying that the setting up of a fence and installation of CCTV would help enforcement agencies check on smuggling activities.
He said the Thai authorities had set up a fence as well as CCTVs at its side of the border area to check on cross-border activities.
It was reported that criminals made use of the internet to buy and sell weapons instead of the extensive network of contacts to secure guns in the neighbouring country and smuggle them over the border.
