Newly-appointed Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chairperson must vow to safeguard online freedom, says PKR strategic director Sim Tze Tzin.

Halim, who is also Telekom Malaysia (TM) chairperson, returned to MCMC after the departure of chairperson and CEO Mohamed Sharil Mohamed Tarmizi (below) but the CEO post is still unfilled.

In a statement today, Sim congratulated Halim for his appointment, stressing that PKR always wanted the chairperson of the regulatory body to be politically neutral.
 
"We hope that he will resist the pressure from Umno politicians to crackdown and internet and social media freedom. He must continue to defend the sanctity of internet media freedom," Sim said.
 
Sim also called on Halim to end Telekom Malaysia (TM)'s monopoly in the high speed broadband sector.
 
He said that the domination by TM, which controls 90 percent of high speed broadband infrastructure in the country, is hindering the country's high speed broadband sector as the costs remain uncompetitive.
 
"Thirdly, the MCMC must work extra hard to curb online criminal activities based in Malaysia such as online scams," he said.
 
"We welcome the minister's decision to reappoint Halim, whose experience will help steer MCMC to achieve greater professionalism," Sim added.

Halim had previously served MCMC as chairperson from April 2006 to May 2009.

He is credited for initiating programmes to bridge the digital divide, Bernama reported on Sunday.

He will be tasked with decoupling the roles of chairperson and CEO which were before held by the same person.

Former BN Permatang Pauh candidate Mazlan Idris is tipped to take the post of CEO.

In a commentary, Utusan Malaysia editor Zulkifli Jalil said Mohamed Shahril, whose contract was not renewed after 11 years serving the commission, is seen as soft on those spreading racial hatred online.