The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is ready to discuss with social website owners in the US to close accounts suspected of inciting violence and those touching on racial and religious sensitivities.
MCMC chairman Datuk Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi told Bernama, the commission would be applying to Facebook and YouTube of Google Inc to close accounts or videos which have been investigated by the Malaysian police for having elements of stoking Malaysians to join militant activities.
He said MCMC, through a special team, will assist police track down suspects attempting to create tension in the country by touching on racial and religious issues.
“However, we can only apply to the site owners and it depends on their decision. The fact is we cannot restrict the entry of social media and the internet,” he said.
He was commenting on allegations by certain parties that MCMC was slow in acting to close accounts and videos which could threaten public order.
Today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, in tabling a White Paper on combating threats posed by the militant group, Islamic State (IS), in the Dewan Rakyat, appealed for people’s support in the effort to curb the ideology of IS and proposed new laws to eradicate the involvement of Malaysians in militant and violent activities.
Mohamed Sharil said MCMC could not close specific individual accounts or control the entry of videos as the country may have to block the entry of Facebook and YouTube completely.
He said the action would not be in line with the national policy for internet freedom and right to freedom of expression.
As such, he said the best move would be to educate the people in the country on smart internet usage.
He was speaking at a “Click Wisely” campaign at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Ministry kiosk held in conjunction with the Umno general assembly on level three of Putra World Trade Centre here from Nov 22 to 29.
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