KL working to censor websites

PUTRAJAYA — Malaysia’s Home Ministry is working with the nation’s Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to set up a firewall on websites, including YouTube, to ensure content that does not adhere to guidelines set by the Film Censorship Board is not viewed by Malaysians.

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday said it was vital for content on the Internet, including movies, to suit local culture and sensitivities. “We are working with the MCMC on this matter and I urge the commission to implement the system soon,” he said, after officiating the 60th anniversary of the censorship board.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said the censorship board has a social responsibility to ensure people are not influenced by negative elements that could be present in certain films.“Content creators have to make sure their content does not lead members of society out of social and religious norms.”

Meanwhile, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak yesterday said there was no “perfect solution” to finding the right balance between ensuring total Internet freedom and protecting the public from possible harm by irresponsible users.

Speaking at an event for his ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party yesterday, Mr Najib noted that the Internet had raised new questions on the “hard limits of free expression”, owing to issues such as libel and cyberbullying. He said many other countries were similarly trying to strike a balance between freedom and protecting the public.

He added that the Internet should not be allowed to “become a medium for the stoking of racial and religious tension”, saying he had observed that, in Malaysia, the Internet had been abused many times to “spread half-truths and even outright lies”.

Mr Najib urged the public to be discerning and think before sharing online content as it has the potential to go “viral and take on a life of its own”.

However, the Prime Minister also conceded that educating online users would be a difficult task.

“I believe we should preserve what makes the Internet what it is: A place for the free exchange of views, a place where truly interactive discussion can progress knowledge, development and democracy. But I also believe we can all commit to encouraging more civil and responsible online debate, to ensure behaviour online reflects the norms and values that we expect of one another in real life,” he said.

Agencies