Daily Express, Sabah, Malaysia -- News Headlines

Daily Express, Sabah, Malaysia -- News Headlines

Porn censorship directive to ISPs
15 June, 2005
CYBERJAYA: The government has directed Internet service providers (ISPs) and telecommunication companies (telcos) to provide censorship services for pornographic and undesirable contents.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said such services would be offered on a "cost recovery" basis to Internet and mobile device users, who would be given a choice on whether to use the services.

He said this was part of a joint proposal by his ministry and the Energy, Water and Communications Ministry in the efforts to combat the problem of pornographic and undesirable materials.

Jamaludin said the cabinet has agreed to the proposal which would also require cybercafe operators to make available similar censorship services as part of the licensing conditions.

He added that with this measure, to be implemented by the Housing and Local Government Ministry, children would not be able to download pornographic materials from the personal computers (PCs) in cybercafes.

Jamaludin said other measures included the setting up of a centre to handle complaints on pornographic and undesirable materials and awareness programmes by government agencies and the private sector for targeted groups.

He said the problem not only affected the Internet but also communication devices such as mobile phones through which users are able to download all kind of content.- Bernama He was speaking to reporters after the pre-conference on the Global Public Policy Conference 2005 here Tuesday.

Jamaludin said the joint proposal forwarded to the cabinet last week was a follow-up on news reports concerning the growing problem of pornographic materials over the Internet.

Jamaludin said the directive to ISPs and telcos to provide censorship services is to be enforced with immediate effect by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

He said Internet and mobile phone users could request the ISPs and telcos for software to be installed in their PCs or phones to bar pornographic materials.

He added that the MCMC would also be the secretariat for the centre handling complaints on pornographic and undesirable contents.

Jamaludin also said that research by the National Information and Communications Technology Security and Emergency Response Centre (NISER) showed that computer abuse by the working community in downloading pornographic materials was high.

"Research by foreign agencies also showed that child pornography is bringing billions in profits to those who are irresponsible," he said.-Bernama