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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.
Issued by
Gayathry Venkiteswaran
Executive Director
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