The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is urging the public to take greater care with digital payments. Commissioner Derek Fernandez, who also leads the MCMC’s Online Harms and Information Security Committee, advises Malaysians to use credit cards instead of debit cards for online purchases.

Speaking on the Scoop Insight podcast, Derek explained that credit cards provide an extra layer of security that debit cards cannot match.

Why Credit Cards Are Safer for Online Transactions

Credit card companies operate by lending money to consumers. Since they are the ones advancing the funds, they have stronger incentives to invest in fraud prevention systems.

“If you use a credit card and someone makes an unauthorised transaction, the money is not immediately lost,” Derek said. “There’s a dispute process, and you don’t see your account emptied. You’ll just see a bill, and you can challenge it.”

On the other hand, debit cards pull money directly from a bank account. If fraud occurs, the funds may be gone before you even realise it.

“In a debit card situation, it’s gone,” he said. “You’ll feel the impact straight away.”

Smartphones Are Not Digital Wallets

Derek also warned against relying too much on smartphones for financial activities. He noted that mobile devices were never built to act as secure digital wallets.

“People think of smartphones as wallets, but they were designed as communication tools,” he explained. “Each app you open is like opening a door. If you had a building with 74 doors, you wouldn’t store gold inside.”

He pointed out that every app and connection increases the risk of unauthorised access or malware.

Set Up Separate Bank Accounts to Limit Risk

To protect against financial loss, Derek recommended a simple yet effective strategy: use separate accounts for different purposes.

“Open a new bank account and ask your bank to block any electronic transfers out of it. Keep your savings there,” he said. “Then, use a different account with a limited balance for digital payments.”

This approach helps contain potential damage. Even if malware gains access to a smartphone and compromises a payment account, the financial exposure is limited.

“In the worst case, you might lose RM3,000 or RM5,000—not your entire life savings,” he said.

Derek’s comments are part of the MCMC’s wider effort to promote safer online habits through its Internet Selamat campaign. Launched in January, the national initiative aims to raise awareness about digital threats and encourage responsible use of technology.

He reminded the public that while technology continues to evolve, no system is completely secure. “There is no 100%,” he said. “We need to use technology wisely and stay alert.”

• TAGS:
• Credit Cards
• Debit Cards
• Derek Fernandez
• Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission
• MCMC
• Online Payments
• Transactions