Government will not block access to Facebook, says Ahmad Shabery

The government will not block access to Facebook accounts and other websites as these facilities bring more benefits than ills.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said although there were Netizens who misused social media like Facebook or other websites, not all were involved such irresponsible acts.

"Blocking access to Facebook is not a good move, as we know that the social media bring more benefits than the irresponsible acts committed by certain individuals.

"In Malaysia, there are 16 million Facebook account owners including eight-year-old school pupils and they are not involved in misusing the social websites to discredit or defame others."

Ahmad Shabery said this after his working visit to the project site of installing 10,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables from Cherating to Japan by TIME dotCom Berhad, at Kuantan Port, here, Wednesday.

Also present was TIME dotCom chief executive officer, Afzal Abdul Rahim.

Ahmad Shabery was asked to comment on claims by some quarters that the government would follow the move of blocking access to Facebook accounts as undertaken by certain countries following cases of misuse of the social medium.

In this regard, he said parents were responsible in teaching and inculcating in their children, wise and responsible use of the Internet and social media.

"We should altogether reject those who like to lie, slander and defame others through the social media. Such individuals have no integrity and they will always be watched in future," he added.