No need for internet censorship, says deputy minister

Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Jailani Johari said on Thursday that there is no need for Internet censorship, as the existing law is already sufficient in curbing the cyber crimes among its users.

He said what's important is that the users should be more courteous when using the internet, to avoid themselves from being involved in cyber crimes, especially those who own blogsites.

"There is no need for a new (cyber) law... what's important is that users should seek their own alternatives (in terms of internet usage)," said Jalani during a question and answer session in Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.

He was addressing a question by Datuk Bung Mokhtar (BN-Kinabatangan) who asked the ministry to state whether appropriate action has been identified against several blogs which are found to be using seditious and slanderous language to the extent that it could create chaos and disrupt the political stability of the country.

On Tuesday, the ministry also revealed that the national broadband coverage has now reached 66.7 percent, a significant improvement from 21.8 percent in 2008, with Kuala Lumpur enjoying the highest coverage at 107.5 percent.

With the wide usage of internet, bloggers have been seen to be more ‘vocal’ in their writings including slanderous and seditious remarks.

In order to curb this act, the ministry has implemented among others the 'click smart' programme to raise awareness on internet safety and is also reviewing existing laws on the matter.