Govt keeping tabs on Internet users

By Lester Kong, The Star

PETALING JAYA: The Government is monitoring the way Malaysians use social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook, says Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong.

He said there were cause for concern as there was a growing trend of using such sites irresponsibly.

“This growing trend of racial and religious insensitivity has created feelings of anxiety, anger and hatred in the country,” he said after witnessing a donation of a motorised wheelchair to a disabled businessman last night.

Lee said the Government was reviewing relevant laws relating to the responsible use of social networking sites, but declined to specify the laws.

He said a committee chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz involving the Prime Minister’s Department, Home Ministry, Information, Communications and Culture Ministry, and the Attorney-General’s Chambers was set up two months ago to check on the networking sites.

He said some politicians also used them to gain political mileage at the expense of racial and religious harmony.

“Some have gone overboard and crossed the borders of the laws. There is a growing trend of utterance or irresponsible statements that may be seditious. Racial and religious sensitivities have been trampled on,” he said.

Lee said Facebook and Twitter should instead be used to promote the merits of the newly unveiled Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).

“With understanding, dedications, commitment and with the people’s cooperation, the objective of the ETP will be achieved,” he said.