Malaysian Government Accused of Censorship

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Bangkok-based Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and the Philippines-based Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), have written to the MCMC to voice their concerns.

"SEAPA has seen the videos, Malaysiakini's coverage and the circumstances surrounding the same, and we have come to the conclusion that Malaysiakini has done nothing more than cover two legitimate news events," the group's executive director Roby Alampay, said in a letter to MCMC COO Mohd Sharil Tarmizi. "SEAPA calls on the MCMC to cease its questioning of Malaysiakini editors and any further pressures that would violate Malaysiakini's rights and prerogatives to cover events and the news as they see fit."

CMFR's executive director, Melinda De Jesus, called on the MCMC to stop the "harassment" of Malaysiakini and its editors so the site may continue to fulfill its mandate, as a news organization, to deliver news to a public that needs information on events that affect it.

In a letter to the MCMC's Sharil, PINA urged the regulator to "stop its intimidating tactics and harassment" of Malaysiakini's editorial team.

The Malaysian government last month said it had no plans to censor online content, following reports that it was looking at proposals to impose an Internet filter to block "undesirable" content.

Local authorities last year detained political blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin under sedition charges. Kamaruddin, who is the editor of political portal Malaysia Today, was eventually released in November.

In a report last month, local politicians and industry players said the government's inconsistencies with its treatment of online censorship could have adverse effects on foreign confidence and investments.

Provided by ZDNet Asia—Where Technology Means Business

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