Tun M's internet censorship posting draws mixed reactions

A section of the online community-- as well as a media watchdog-- have levelled criticism against the latest statement by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad expressing his apparent preference for censorship of the internet.

Centre for Independent Journalism executive officer Masjaliza Hamzah today described Mahathir’s blog posting as being “confused”.

“He doesn’t sound like he is clear on what he means when he did not differentiate or make any distinction between personal postings on Facebook, bloggers, and online news sites and videos on Youtube. He even puts pornography in the same basket,” said Masjaliza.

She expressed disappointment with what Mahathir wrote, especially since he is “someone credited with the vision of a ‘censorship-free internet’ in Malaysia.”

She also said that it seems that Mahathir seems to have a “personal problem” with hackers when he mentioned that there his site was hacked and he had to change it five times.

“He could address through various means, whether it is through reporting to the MCMC and asking them to launch an investigation into this or step up security of his blog.”

“While he is now retired, he has carved a space as a commenter of current issues. I do think he needs to rise above his own personal problems with the internet and look at broader issues such as online media literacy,” said Masjaliza.

She noted that defamation laws are adequate and the majority of those cases where the publication was found guilty of misrepresentation were government-linked media, rather than online news sites.

Masjaliza also warned that such calls to censor the online space will become louder closer to the general election.

However, prominent blogger Ahiruddin Attan, popularly known as Rocky, said that Mahathir's posting is "deliberately" being misunderstood.

"Whoever is critical and condemns him misunderstand as we must remember that he was the prime minister who promised that the government will not censor the internet and I don't think he will go back on his word," said Ahiruddin.

"It was his vision that enabled websites like Malaysiakini, The Malaysian Insider and Free Malaysia Today, and blogs like mine to operate without any sort of licenses," he said.

Ahiruddin recalled that when the Abdullah Badawi administration had 'came after' bloggers, Mahathir was the one who defended freedom of speech.

He stressed that Mahathir is consistent and is not calling for censorship.

"He is just stating that 'this is what we get for unbridled freedom' and we have to accept the fact," he said.

Ahiruddin said that he thinks that the former premier is saying that one must exercise discression and be judicious on the internet and that self-regulation should be discussed.

Meanwhile, commentators on Facebook and twitter were mainly against any form of online censorship.

One “AE Glory” wrote: “Kebenaran tidak boleh disekat. Berani kerana benar takut kerana salah (truth can’t be blocked. Brave because its right, afraid because its wrong).”