Internet users unhappy with move to block popular websites: M’sia1 min read
Reading Time: < 1 minuteConsumers and Internet users have protested strongly against the decision made by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to block 10 popular file-sharing websites in an effort to combat piracy.
It was reported yesterday that the MCMC had ordered all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block the websites, in a letter dated May 30 and signed by Digital Security Services division acting senior director Eneng Faridah Iskandar.
Consumers Association of Penang president S.M. Mohamed Idris questioned whether in banning the websites, the MCMC had violated the MSC Malaysia Bill of Guarantees which gave protection against curbs on Internet freedom.
“Using the Internet providers to block certain websites almost certainly constitutes censorship, which the government has expressly promised it will not do in the past.”
He also said the MCMC should be using its authority to block immoral and harmful content such as online pornography rather than file-sharing sites.
“If the MCMC has the power to block web-sites sharing films and music files, then why is pornographic and disturbing material still freely available online?”
