PM calls for more rules on Internet
Is this what the government wants to do - regulate political opinion in Asia?
(Source: The Korea Times)
Najib, do you respect Dr M's view?
Mahathir: Censor Porn, Not Political Views
Written by Andrew Ong Sunday, 09 August 2009 07:46
Kuala Lumpur - One of the most popular bloggers in the country, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, believes that the government should not follow China in censoring political views on the Internet.
However, the former prime minister, who runs the popular chedet.cc blog, believes the government should instill "some discipline" by regulating Internet "filth" and content which instigates violence.
But this kind of censorship should not encompass "political thinking", he added. He said that during his tenure as prime minister, the government had given an undertaking not to censor the Internet, but he is unsure if the present administration would make the same commitment.
"I think it (stringent Internet censorship) would be the wrong thing to do," he told reporters after delivering his address at the two-day Malaysia Students Leadership Summit 2009 in Kuala Lumpur.
Conflicting statements from government officials have emerged in recent days following news reports that a government tender was given out to companies to help the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) filter Internet content.
While the government claimed that it was targeting Internet pornography and those who fan racial sentiments, the move has sent shivers down many political dissidents who use the Internet to overcome government-controlled media.
Malaysian Information, Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim confirmed news about the tender, but Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak denied that there was a government plan to filter the Internet.
Adding more to the confusion was a statement by the MCMC that claims that it was only conducting a study on undesirable Internet activities such as online frauds, phishing, identity theft and spam.
Earlier news reports said the project was said to be similar to China's 'Green Dam' project which was initially aimed at filtering pornography, but later found to be blocking access to anti-government websites.
Students grill Dr M
Meanwhile, on the ongoing debate over the sale of alcohol in Selangor, Mahathir said Malaysia was a multiracial country and one group should not impose their values on others.
Asked about the statements by Umno leaders such as Selangor opposition leader Dr Mohd Khir Toyo who have been vocally support PAS' bid to ban the sale of alcohol in Muslim-majority areas, Mahathir took a swipe at both Khir and PAS.
"If PAS is so easily influenced by Khir Toyo or anyone else, then I don't think very much of PAS' ability to think for themselves," said Mahathir.
During his speech earlier to some 500 participants at the conference, Mahathir was bombarded by several individuals from the floor over his track record on freedom of speech during the question-and-answer session.
Mahathir, who is always fawned upon at public functions, was visibly irate at the accusations. At one point, he completely ignored one question, on the viability of Vision 2020, to continue an earlier answer claiming it was the mainstream media which should be faulted for pandering to the powers-that-be.
"I think it (the conference) is very good. They are very open. They have always been open, even during my time. I wonder why they think I stifle opinions," he said during the press conference when asked on his thoughts of the conference.
Mahathir also dismissed suggestions that students in public universities do not enjoy the same freedom of speech as Malaysian students abroad. "I don't know. They themselves (local university students) seems to be very shy about saying things which they think might annoy whoever they are asking," he said.
The conference was organised by the United Kingdom and Eire Council for Malaysian Students (UKEC).-- Courtesy of Malaysiakini
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