Blogs and websites touching on sensitive issues being monitored

(Bernama) – The Home Ministry with the cooperation of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will continue monitoring blogs and websites that touch on the people’s sensitivities.

Its minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the authorities were now collecting evidence to bring the culprits to book for touching on sensitivities involving race, religion and the institution of Malay rulers.

“Our actions of late show our seriousness in bringing those responsible to court provided we have sufficient evidence to do so,” he said.

Hishammuddin was met after attending a Johor Umno liaison committee meeting chaired by Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othmanin Johor.

Citing the case of blogger Aduka Taruna who was arrested for insulting the late Sultan of Johor, Hishammuddin said the Home Ministry, MCMC and other relevant agencies would identify those guilty of the offence and bring them to court.

Hishammuddin said he was informed by Bukit Aman Commercial Crime CID director Koh Hong Sun that certain bloggers and websites were being monitored for touching on sensitive matters, but did not elaborate.

Asked on the reported call by some bloggers for Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin to quit his post, he said the reports were not accurate.

“I understand that the bloggers involved do not know head or tail about what was discussed at the recent Umno Youth executive committee (exco) meeting,” he said.

Hishammuddin, who is also an Umno vice-president, did not dismiss the possibility that the reports were made due to some people’s personal interest, and said that such a call could do nothing to strengthen the party.

The blogs reported that some Umno exco members had demanded that Khairy step down as he failed to steer the direction of the movement to be in tune with the leadership of Prime Minister and Umno presidentNajib Abdul Razak.