The duo interviewed by Bernama said "yes." So Bernama (need we be reminded that it is state-owned) ran a report which said Malaysia ought to emulate the island republic in implementing regulations pertaining to the imposition of licenses on news websites. Why? To "monitor those who use the internet to instigate and threaten peace," so it was said.
Singapore, as we know has ruled that websites with 50,000 unique visitors per month and producing at least one local news article a week must obtain an annual licence from the republic's Media Development Board. The board would also require the licenced websites to withdraw "sensitive materials which could threaten harmony "within 24-hours of being informed (instructed perhaps?) by the authorities. And of course, licenced websites must also provide a S$50,000 (RM123,484) as security bond.
Anyway, what constitutes "sensitive materials" can be debated. That's given. And it is not surprising that some Malaysians have accused the law experts (interviewed by Bernama) who supported similar regulations be imposed in the country as being "pro-BN government who were planted to say what they had said."
In other words there are quite a number of us who feel all that was "orchestrated" to "justify impending action by the government in regulating online news like Singapore." Read the comments in the internet and you'll "learn" that the Bernama story was to kickstart the campaign towards regulating online news. Rightly or wrongly – that's the perception of some Malaysians netizens (didn't the PM say recently the BN had lost the war of perception, although he was referring to the general election).
Anyway by (for want of a better word) coincidence, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek was asked by the pro-government media to comment on the Singapore move.
And, get this, he admitted the government is "studying the possibility of regulating online news portals following Singapore's decision to regulate online portals."
"Now that Singapore, a country that people see as more sophisticated, has come up with the regulation, so we will look into its feasibility," said Shabery but was quick to add "but we must see that it doesn't go against our principles."
To many, well maybe to some, this is the first step towards regulating online news. Again that's perception.
Flashback to December 2011. The ministry of science technology and innovation "floated" the draft Computing Professionals Bill 2011 which attempted to regulate all computer services including the setting up of blogs and news portals – even the use of Facebook and Twitter accounts. The draft bill came under intense objections from many quarters.
Umno leaders joined their Pakatan Rakyat rivals in criticising the proposal describing the move as useless. One critic was MP Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamad. Umno youth chief (and current sports and youth minister) Khairy Jamaluddin was also "dead set against the move", calling it "ridiculous as we should be moving towards greater freedom."
That was then. Now we await the duo's comments on the current "episode."
By the way, this study on the possibility of regulating online news comes at a time when dissent is seen to be not tolerated, at a time when opposition publications are being confiscated, at a time when elected members of parliament are denied entry into a state in their own country.
True the authorities have their reasons for doing what they do. Valid it maybe but still I for one do not feel nice. Not at all.
The Edge
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