Freedom of Expression, Censorship and the Mother of Sedition

Malaysia too might set rules for internet blogging

China is already known to be pretty strict when it comes to allowing Chinese citizens to blog on the internet. Now, incoming reports state that Malaysia too is considering imposing some restrictions on their web users to blog on the web.

A report has said that the government is considering enacting tough Internet laws to control bloggers and prevent them from spreading “disharmony, chaos, seditious material and lies” on their websites.

Deputy Science and Technology Minister Kong Cho Ha however said that it would be tough to get the bloggers to register with the government. He did say that bloggers tend to post posting controversial articles to attract readers.

He was quoted as saying: “We are talking about creating cyber laws to control those who misuse the Internet. We need to have stricter cyber laws to prevent these bloggers from disseminating disharmony, chaos, seditious material and lies.”

He further said: “We want our bloggers to be responsible, to keep within the rules and not put up seditious articles that can create disharmony and chaos.”

Minister Kong Cho Ha is considering more legislation, with the view of introducing further amendments to Malaysia's strict cyber laws. He claims bloggers are disseminating disharmony, chaos, seditious material and lies.

If the Minister was living sometime during the 19th century, and heading part of an out of mind Information Ministry, then I would take the Orwellian line, and say the man is just plain bonkers. But in today's world, to be fair, I would not give that much credit to blogging and bloggers, least of all, claim that disharmony and chaos are the result of blogging. I think this Minister has made an unfounded claim, and that publicly at least, he reveals a certain Maoist hue to press and censorship. I really do not know which is the greater danger nowadays, an elected Minister susceptible to notions of tyranny and lascivious drivel on Chaos or Google actively collaborating with certain Nations, imprisoning otherwise harmless human beings.

And if Sex is Chaos, what would the Minister think about the image above?