Rais: Review of Net rules in final stage

The New Straits Times

BUKIT MERTAJAM: An ongoing review of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 which addresses such issues as Internet censorship is in its final stage.

Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said many people appeared to have the misconception that legal action for an Internet posting constituted censorship.

"It is not censorship when it is actually a legal process.

"If someone is alleged to have committed sedition, and the person's computer is seized, it is not censorship, but rather we are carrying out our duties," he said, adding that the same rule applied to cheating cases and Penal Code offences.

Rais also said that the amendments to the act were to streamline it with the newly-passed Evidence Act.

He added that the review was in the final stages.

Rais was speaking to reporters at a press conference after opening the Klik Bijak campaign at a school here yesterday.

The nationwide campaign aims to educate young users to use the Internet responsibly.

Rais said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission would be coming up with a syllabus soon.

In his opening speech, Rais warned of an impending war which did not involve weapons or submarines, but intelligence through cyberspace.

"Whoever is smart, they will lead. They will become powerful and soon they will surpass us," said Rais, who stressed on the importance of gaining the highest form of programming knowledge.