[huridocs-tech] New restrictions loom for Malaysia's Internet

DIGITAL FREEDOM NETWORK: Human rights and cyber-rights news

New restrictions loom for Malaysia's Internet<regulating-net.htm>
by Bobson Wong, Digital Freedom Network

(February 20, 2002) One of Malaysia's leading independent news Web sites
expressed skepticism at a Malaysian official's statement yesterday that his
government has no intention of regulating Internet sites.

Chia Kwang Chye, parliamentary secretary for the Energy, Communications,
and Multimedia Ministry, said that the Malaysian government has no plans to
control Internet use in revising the country's Communications and
Multimedia Act. Section 3(3) of the Act says that "Nothing in this Act
shall be construed as permitting the censorship of the Internet."

Steven Gan, editor-in-chief of the popular independent online newspaper
Malaysiakini.com (Malaysiakini means "Malaysia Now"), believes that the
Multimedia Ministry opposes censoring the Internet. But he warned that
officials in other ministries announced plans to introduce a "code of
content" and revise the government licensing system. For example, Rais
Yatim, minister in the prime minister's department, said that the
government would introduce bills that would "cleanse" the Internet of
anti-government material.

With close ties between the government and most of the media — groups
allied with the ruling Barisan National coalition own or control all of the
country's mainstream publications — and draconian laws that criminalize
sedition and criticism of the government, Malaysia's ruling coalition has
been able to stifle dissent effectively.

Closing the loophole

The only independent medium in Malaysia has been the Internet, which does
not fall under the Printing Presses and Publications Act. That 1984 law
requires annual re-licensing of all publications by the government and
empowers it to arrest anyone who violates the act. Web sites like
Malaysiakini, which was launched in 1999 to provide a credible news source,
have been able to speak freely because they do not have to apply for a
government printing license. Gan believes that the loophole exists because
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed wants to attract foreign
companies to a technology center outside the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.

Despite the loophole, independent Web sites in Malaysia have faced
considerable harassment. Last year, Malaysiakini reporters were banned from
attending official functions and press conferences. (Gan told the Digital
Freedom Network that the ban was unevenly enforced, but all government
ministers have refused to grant interviews to Malaysiakini.com.) Several
Web sites supporting former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, jailed on
sex and corruption charges that many feel were false and politically
motivated, were threatened with government lawsuits.

Changes to the Printing Act, which could include the licensing of online
news providers, are expected to be introduced in parliament sometime after
February. If such changes are proposed and passed, Web sites will have to
apply to the government for printing licenses and sites like Malaysiakini
will almost certainly be rejected. (Malaysiakini applied for press
accreditation in 2000 but the application was not approved.)

What independent sites could do if the proposed changes pass are uncertain.
One of the world's most outspoken independent online communities could be
stifled.


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