Business
Malaysia censors Web sites to maintain harmony
Malaysia has a policy guaranteeing that the Internet would not be censored. But that doesn't mean the authorities won't shut down Web sites.
Malaysia has a policy guaranteeing that the Internet would not be censored. But that doesn't mean the authorities won't shut down Web sites.
According to this press report, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commissions (MCMC) has so far shut down 11 Web sites.
Apparently, action can be taken against Web sites that "spread slanderous comments, insulting the country's leaders, religious sensitivities and race".
The intent of such a policy may be good, but I am concerned about a slippery slope situation. Can and will the authorities always be an objective arbiter of what kinds of Web sites are acceptable and what are not?