MALAYSIA: Malaysia considering laws to rein in errant bloggers

Government may introduce cyber laws to prevent bloggers from defaming others

Straits Times 
Monday, December 4, 2006

Kuala Lumpur --- Malaysia may introduce tough Internet laws to control bloggers and prevent them from spreading "disharmony, chaos, seditious material and lies" on their websites.

Deputy Science and Technology Minister Kong Cho Ha accused some writers of posting controversial articles to attract readers, but said moves such as registering bloggers would be difficult.

"We are talking about creating cyber laws to control those who misuse the Internet," Datuk Kong said.

"We need to have stricter cyber laws to prevent these bloggers from disseminating disharmony, chaos, seditious material and lies," he said.

The high number of bloggers in the country was a good thing if they used the Internet constructively, he said.

However, some of them would put up sensational or controversial articles or images to attract readers.

He cited the posting of a photo on an opposition politician's website last month of a Muslim male and a Muslim female lawmaker. It reportedly showed the man in a bathrobe with the woman lying on his chest in what appeared to be a hotel room.

The photo sparked a scandal as the two were not married to each other.

"Now, we have cyber laws to check such misuse, but the laws need to change to keep up with the times," Datuk Kong said.

Date Posted: 12/4/2006