Rais to study MCMC report on sex bloggers

Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim said he would study the Malaysian

Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) report on its withholding approval for a pre-recorded radio interview with two Malaysian sex bloggers over postings on their blog, "Sumptuous Erotica".

Rais said the government had the ultimate power of deciding whether to take legal action or not on this matter.

"I will first see the report if any, but I am inclined to say that we should not entertain any suggestion on pornography through the Internet," he told reporters after launching the biography book, "Zubir Said The Composer of Majulah Singapura", here, today.

"No matter how modern people are today, pornography on the Internet and the culture of promoting pornography directly or indirectly should not be encouraged.

"Whether it (recorded interview) can be broadcast or not, is not for me to decide. The MCMC will look at the matter and I will take the report," he said.

Alvin Tan Jye Yee, a Malaysian studying law at the National University of Singapore and his Malaysian girlfriend have been getting a lot of public attention including criticism for posting their nude photos and video of their sex act on their blog.

Radio stations Red FM and Capital FM which had interviewed the young couple were unable to air the pre-recorded interviews on slot 2 yesterday evening because it did not get approval from MCMC.

On the song, "Harapan Bangsa" sung by recording artiste Jaclyn Victor said to have touched on the sensitivities of Muslims in this country, Rais said his ministry would investigate the claim and study the lyrics of the song.

"We cannot suddenly take action on this, so we will investigate as some words have deep meaning," he said.