Internet censorship is another ploy by the Barisan Nasional government to curb the influence of the opposition through their web-sites, said an opposition Member of Parliament (MP) today.

DAP MP for Tanjung Chow Kon Yeow said the threat of "uncontrollable communication" among citizens, through alternative and pro-opposition web-sites is why the government is considering censoring the Internet.

He added any move by the government to impose censorship on the Internet, which he considered "a new frontier of freedom of expression" would be tantamount to destroying the principal freedom of the electronic medium.

"It is not difficult to understand why Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad wants to curb the communication power created by the usage of the Internet as it has proven to be the most effective political weapon in the century," said Chow.

Yesterday, parliamentary-secretary of the Energy, Communications and Multimedia Ministry Chia Kwang Chye said the government would remain firm on its stand that it will not censor any information the Internet.

However, he said, there would be strict guidelines against the spread of lies and slander through the medium.

Mobilise call

Last week, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Rais Yatim has said that the Attorney General's Chambers was in the final stage of drafting laws to make website operators and writers accountable for their reports under the Printing Presses and Publications Act.

The laws are to protect against reports which could create public disorder and incite violence, he said.

In 1998, Chow said DAP welcomed section 3(3) of the Communications and Multimedia Act which reads: "Nothing in this Act shall be construed as permitting the censorship of the Internet", following the Multimedia Super Corridor Bill of Guarantee which barred the filtering of Internet-delivered content.

In March 1999, the government considered censoring the Internet but abandoned its plans after unfavourable feedback and concerns voiced by the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) companies. Mahathir later reaffirmed that there would be no censorship.

"Every deskstop computer connected to the Internet is a printing press, broadcasting station and place of assembly within worldwide reach," said Chow. He said Malaysians must not adopt a tidak apa attitude anymore but instead mobilise themselves to oppose censorship of the Internet as democracy was as stake.