Some provisions in Communications and Multimedia Act need to be reviewed - Jailani

Certain provisions in the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 need to be reviewed as they contain weaknesses. Communications and Multimedia Deputy Minister Datuk Jailani Johari said although the government was thinking of whether to introduce the National Harmony Act, the Communications and Multimedia Act would still be enforced at the same time. "As there are weaknesses in the Act, we need to review it with the aim of updating or strengthening it," he said when asked about the case of blogger couple Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee who insulted Muslims and the holy month of Ramadan with their recent posting. Jailani was met at a Sayang DiSayang breaking-of-fast event at the Kampung Pauh Mosque in Telemong, here, last night hosted by ABX Express (M) Sdn Bhd. Also present was the company's chief executive officer Mohd Ali Noordin. He said in curbing misdeeds like defaming others and insulting religion or the monarchy, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission had been asked to continue creating public awareness like through the "Klik Dengan Bijak" programme so that netizens including social media users would think first before posting anything. "In a borderless world, they must be responsible for what they post through the Internet," he added. He said the case of Tan and Lee who had been taken to court for their action should be a lesson for all as the government would act sternly against misuse of the Internet, especially by provoking religious sensitivities. Jailani lauded the quick action of the Attorney-General's Chambers in taking the offending blogging couple to court. "If the government does not act this way, some netizens will wantonly defame others and insult the rulers and the religion of others," he said.