We make reference to the recent announcement by the Government of Malaysia of their proposals to amend the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (PPPA), to include online content.
ITC acknowledges that the proposed amendments are yet unknown.
Nonetheless, ITC would implore and advocate that any amendments to the PPPA ought to be inline with the Right of the Freedom of Speech enshrined in the Malaysian Federal Constitution.
ITC is also guided by the MSC Malaysia Bill of Guarantee, which guarantees no censorship on the Net.
Any form of censorship or impediment to this enshrined right would be unconstitutional and a step backwards for Malaysia.
ITC wishes to highlight that at a recent Information Technology Law Forum hosted by ITC, where the Honourable Minister of Information, Communications and Culture, Dato’ Seri Rais Yatim was invited, and the Honourable Deputy Minister Dato’ Maglin Dennis D’Cruz, had attended on behalf of the Minister; the Deputy Minister in his speech had said that the Government of Malaysia is committed to defend the Freedom of Speech in the Internet.
The ITC would welcome any amendments to the Law which would flourish the growth and use of IT in Malaysia.
Education, discussion and persuasion ought to be the principles of the Government of Malaysia in educating the users of the Internet of their responsibilities and accountability; when uploading contents in the Internet.
Censorship, restrictions and suppression cannot and must not be the principles in governing usage of the Internet.
Information Technology Committee
Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee
February 2011