The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) today confirmed that it has blocked access to news portal The Malaysian Insider, via Malaysian internet service providers (ISPs).
However, it did not mention how the portal flouted Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, which deals with abuse of communications networks.
The MCMC in a statement said the ban was following “public complaints” and reminded news portals not to publish unverified reports.
“MCMC reminds news portals not to spread or publish articles whose veracity has yet to be confirmed.
“This could invite confusion and cause unwanted situations,” it said in a statement.
While MCMC did not specify it, among articles published by The Malaysian Insider today cited a source as saying that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has “credible evidence to frame charges” against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
Who is to “verify” the news which portals may publish?
The Najib appointed “news controllers” instructed never to allow publication of anything that might bring those in government into disrepute?
When people in authority start banning things because they “confuse the public” then you know it is because, in fact, they have enlightened the public. For example, Sarawak Report was banned after we published the original draft charge sheets drawn up against Najib.
This was on the grounds that they were a “falsehood” designed “to confuse the public”.
The police then went round rounding up civil servants on suspicion of having leaked the information, thereby proving that in fact our story was true.
Everyone can see through these childish excuses for shutting up journalists, who are exposing bad behaviour in high places, but these people are now so desperate they don’t care.