Gan sticks to his guns over Malaysiakini videos of protests

(The Star) – PETALING JAYA: Officers from the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) have questioned Malaysiakini editor-in-chief Steven Gan in relation to videos of protests by Section 23 residents in Shah Alam last Friday.

“I have made my decision clear (to keep the videos up). We are just doing our job and reporting on news events,” he said.

The officers had quizzed Gan at his office in Bangsar.

On Friday, Gan said he would not be removing the videos from the online news portal.

The MCMC had sent a letter to Malaysiakini on Thursday, requesting that the website remove the videos, which were deemed “provocative” and “offensive” under Section 211 and 233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998.

Section 211 deals with the prohibition of offensive content while Section 233 oversees the improper use of network facilities or service with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass another person.

The letter had also stated that the videos posted had intentions to “annoy any person, especially Indians”.

“I have not committed any offence under those sections as stated. It was not our intention to annoy anybody,” Gan said.