The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) views with concern plans afoot to filter the Internet to block so called undesirable websites, as reported in the local media. This is a clear violation of the commitment made in the promotion of the Multimedia Super Corridor and the Bill of Guarantees that ensures no censorship of the internet. Any form of control or filtering is a violation of freedom of speech, as enshrined in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.
The Malaysian Insider, an online news portal, reported on 6 August 2009 that a call for tender has been issued to companies to submit proposals to assist the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) evaluate the feasibility of an Internet filter.
The news report also stated that the Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture expects the study to be completed by this December and a decision will be made by the National Security Council headed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Internet control is not new in Malaysia. Among those who have faced investigations and court actions, website closure and government censure include bloggers Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Jeff Ooi, Nathanial Tan, Jed Yoong, Syed Abidi Syed Aziz, Abdul Rashid Bakar and others. The reasons have ranged from allegedly seditious content, but civil society groups have described the series of persecution as denial of rights to political expression. This year, eight people were also charged under the Communications and Multimedia Act for posting comments against the members of the royal family in Perak, north of the capital, following the political crisis in the state.
The real beneficiaries of control of information and expression over the Internet or any other forms of the media, is the ruling party in power. Reports by local and international human rights organizations point to the deliberate attempts by the Barisan Nasional government to target online spaces, which host a range of critical views on governance, transparency, accountability and maladministration. In this regard, any moves to institutionalize filtering will be seen as strengthening the executive's powers in controlling content online..
CIJ calls on the government to drop its plans and instead focus on education and awareness of the internet technology and on increasing citizen's access to such facilities. CIJ also calls upon the Minister responsible, Dr Rais Yatim to make public the the parties involved in the study and the extent of civil society and public participation as we are concerned that civil society voices are absent in this process.
The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free where all people will enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek, and impart information.
Gayathry Venkiteswaran Executive Director Kuala Lumpur 9 Aug 2009
2012 Bar Council Subscription Click the link above to download Circular 072/2012 pertaining to the 2012 Bar Council subscription, including the payment guide and a set of Frequently-Asked-Questions.
2012 Hotel Corporate Rates Attending seminars? Going for a holiday? Click on the link above to check out the list of hotel corporate rates for Members of the Bar, which is updated regularly.
Bar Council Bookshop Read MORE … but pay LE$$! Members enjoy a 20% discount on LexisNexis publications at the Bar Council Bookshop. Click on the link above for the list of available titles.
International Malaysia Law Conference (26 to 28 Sept 2012) Hurry up! The countdown continues and the current promotion rate ends 30 June 2012. Don't miss what is going to be the best conference in the region! On top of that, if you sign up with 5 or more people from the same organisation, we will give you a 10% group discount. Click on the link above to register.
Talk on Summary Judgement (25 May 2012) Organised by the Selangor Bar Committee, this talk will take place at 5:00 pm, at the Selangor Bar Committee Auditorium, on 25 May 2012 (Friday). The talk will be conducted by Ramesh Supramanian. Click on the link above for more details.
Seminar on Tax Issues in Financial Transactions (25 May 2012) Organised by the Kuala Lumpur Bar Professional Development Committee, this seminar, featuring S Saravana Kumar, will take place at 3:00 pm, at the Kuala Lumpur Bar Auditorium, on 25 May 2012 (Friday). Click on the link above for more details.
Dialogue with Criminal Law Practitioners (26 May 2012) Organised by Bar Council, this dialogue will take place at 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, at the Raja Aziz Addruse Auditorium, Bar Council, on 26 May 2012 (Saturday). Click on the link above for more details.
Conference on Competition Law (31 May 2012) Organised by Bar Council with the support of LexisNexis, this conference will take place at 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, at Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel, on 31 May 2012 (Thursday). For more details or to register, please contact Vilashini Vijayan (03-2050 2095; vila@malaysianbar.org.my). Click on the link above for more details.
Talk on What Clients Want (7 June 2012) Organised by the KL Bar Practitioners' Affairs Committee, the talk, presented by Ong Eu Jin, will take place at 5:00 pm, at the KL Bar Auditorium, on 7 June 2012 (Thursday). Click on the link above for more details.
4th LAWASIA Family Law Conference, Penang (13 and 14 July 2012) Supported by Penang Bar Committee and the Malaysian Bar, this conference, themed “The New Global Family: Emerging Trends and Challenges to Family Practice”, will take place at Traders Hotel, Penang, on 13 and 14 July 2012 (Friday and Saturday). Click on the link above for more details.
News 
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Circular No 109/2012: Be a Part of the Bar Council Constitutional Law Committee
