Legal practitioners are required to widen their knowledge of information technology (IT) following the commencement of the Special Cyber Court on Sept 1.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said said the move will help them prepare for handling cybercrime issues which are getting more serious.

Along with the operations of the Special Cyber Court, Azalina said, judges and prosecutors in the Sessions and Magistrate's courts will also undergo training to understand IT skills to facilitate their understanding of related cases.

"We are working with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to conduct the training for judges and prosecutors on Aug 27 and 28," she told reporters after officially opening the opening of Hotel AmanSari Desaru in Bandar Penawar in Kota Tinggi, Johor, yesterday.

She said the Special Cyber Court, which was set up to punish cyber crime offenders according to cyber laws, will operate at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex on Jalan Duta.

She said the court would be operating just like any other court handling cases of corruption and anti-profiteering.

Courts to be expanded if feedback is good

"If the feedback is good, the special courts will be expanded to Johor and Penang, followed by other states.

"Studies show that the two states have many cyber crime cases," she said.

Azalina who is also the MP for Pengerang, said the establishment of the special court can help ease the flow of cases at the criminal and civil courts related to cyber crime, which is on the rise now.

According to her, there will also be a team at the special court to track down those who slander and commit offences on the social media.

Meanwhile, at a separate event, 331 people from around Pengerang participated in the Johor state-level 'Kayuhan Patriot Fun Ride 2016' organised by the National Civics Bureau (BTN) in conjunction with the Merdeka month.

Azalina, in her speech, said the programme was among BTN's ongoing efforts to nuture the spirit of patriotism via cycling activities involving leaders and the people.

At the event, she also presented an allocation of RM350,000 to 59 schools and 11 parent-teacher associations in Pengerang.

- Bernama