‘SKMM not ordered to block access to website’

KUALA LUMPUR: The Government did not instruct the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM) to block access to the Malaysia Today website.
Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said the Government had only given a “general instruction” to the commission to allow all blogs and websites to function provided they adhered to provisions under the Communications and Multimedia Act.
“SKMM runs on its own. I am not briefed on the things it does although it did tell me it was blocking the Malaysia Today website under Section 263 of the Act, which I believe has something to do with threatening national interest.”
Shaziman also denied that SKMM was targeting Malaysia Today, which is run by Raja Petra Kamaruddin, due to its anti-government views.
“There are other blogs and websites like those of Opposition parties PAS and PKR, which criticise the Government. The commission has not blocked access to those sites,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby here yesterday.
Shaziman said that so far, access to 127 websites and blogs including Malaysia Today have been blocked for contravening various sections of the Act.
Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad warned that the Government would lose power if it continued to block opposing views from being aired.
tunku : i don't think that MCMC can run on its own without government supervision. they should consult the ministry before taking action.anyway, for me MCMC can block access to the website which is considered as threatening national interest without knowing who is the owner but if you know the owner you don't have to block the website, just sue or charge the owner under the related acts.