Source: CIJ Malaysia
Malaysia’s new Communications and Multimedia Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak, has announced changes that would empower the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to block sites deemed as “threats to national security and stability”. APC and Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER) denounce the proposed reforms, as they will contribute to the crackdown on free expression in Malaysia.
The proposed reforms would require online news portals in Malaysia to be registered. According to Dr. Salleh, this comes in response to the need to tackle issues such as pornography, online gambling and Islamic State (IS) threats, among others. However, the reforms must be viewed within the current political environment in Malaysia, where freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and association is under attack. It is highly unlikely that this move is intended for anything other than shutting down criticism and bringing into line what is left of the free press.
Read the whole statement: https://www.apc.org/en/node/20828/ –