Bloggers Under Attack

Mat Taib Lodges Police Report Against Malaysia Today

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- Umno information chief Senator Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib today lodged a police report against blogsite Malaysia Today for carrying articles deemed to have insulted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Statements and comments posted in the blogsite dated July 11 were deemed to have contravened the Penal Code, Sedition Act and the Communication and Multimedia Act, he told reporters after lodging the report at the Tun H.S. Lee police station here.
"It was over a report which had insulted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the monarchy. It had also insulted and poked fun at Islam as the official religion of the federation."
Muhammad said comments posted on the blogsite also incited hate between the various races and could affect unity and national security.
The Kelana Jaya Umno division leader said he had been advised against divulging the statements and comments to the media as they were too sensitive.
"As responsible citizens, we cannot allow such articles to be posted on blogsites and urged the authorities to act in accordance with the law," he added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today the government is not on a witch hunt for bloggers.
"No, we are not going after bloggers. However, everyone must be aware that there are laws in this country," he told reporters after a meeting with leaders of Chinese Chambers of Commerce at his office in Putrajaya.
He was commenting on whether the government was tracking down bloggers after Umno lodged a police report against Malaysia Today for allegedly posting disparaging remarks against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Islam.
Najib said that anyone can lodge a police report.
"It is up to the authorities to investigate whether the bloggers had contravened any laws of the country or not," he added.
Before this, a blogger was detained on July 13 for four days for questioning by police under the Official Secrets Act.

Senator Wants Tough Action Against Bloggers

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- A Senator today called for stern action against bloggers who he described as "arrogant and bold" when making disparaging remarks against leaders.
"The lack of a specific act to supervise bloggers gave them the space to spread lies which touch the sensitivity of the community. It can become a threat to peace," said Senator Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi when debating the Electronic Government Activities Bill 2007 in the Dewan Negara.
The Bill was tabled for second reading by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.
Dr Puad said the government should not compromise with the bloggers and use existing laws like the Penal Code, Sedition Act 1948 and the Internal Security Act (ISA) against them.
Senator Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir who spoke in support of Dr Puad said cyber crimes committed by bloggers could destroy the nation.
"This is because there are leaders who use information posted on blogsites as reference. This posed a danger to the country," he added.
Musa urged that specific legislation be drawn up to address cyber crimes.
Earlier, Nazri said the Bill was aimed at recognising electronic transactions between the government and public.
Dewan Negara had earlier passed the Promotion of Investments (Amendment) Bill 2007.
The debate continues tomorrow.

tunku : beware bloggers, you are watch 24/7 now, all the authorities eyes are on bloggers as the election coming and they want us to shut our mouth totally. on malaysia today, i had no comments, let the police investigates but i hope no arrest of bloggers.if they is hard evidence then do so(if it breaks the law).but i'm quite disappointed at mat taib, he should make more police report on malaysia today's article especially the corruption, abuse of powers allegation.we want the police to investigate them too, not only about the Agong's article.i hope the pak lah regime won't act out of desperation.