KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Aug 08: Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said today it was “natural” for the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to act and order Internet service providers (ISPs) in the country to block the Malaysia Today website.
“I think so many opportunities and warnings have been given (to the website) which were not heeded, and I’m sure they (MCMC) have exercised their authority well and within the law,” he told a news conference at the Parliament lobby.
Syed Hamid said the government had never intended to curtail people’s freedom to debate and give information.
“But when you publish content that are deemed defamatory or slanderous to other people, I think it’s only natural, looking at their (MCMC’s) power in order to bring law and order within the country, for them to take the action they considered necessary,” he said.
Syed Hamid said everyone, including website or blog operators, was subject to the law.
According to a news report quoting an industry source today, the MCMC has ordered all 21 ISPs in the country to block the Malaysia Today website, Bernama reports.
Despite this happening, however, the blocked site can be accessed at http://mt.harapanmalaysia.com/2008/.
