MCMC to block websites that promote Bersih 4

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Comm-unications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is blocking websites which promote, spread information and encourage the public to join the Bersih 4 rally.

The commission is calling for the public to report such websites or social media accounts spreading contents that could harm the nation’s stability, public order and economic stability.

“Any information on websites or social media accounts believed to be spreading such contents can be reported at [e-mail] (http://aduan.skmm.gov.my),” it said in a statement yesterday.

The commission reiterated a statement by the Home Ministry that the Bersih 4 movement was illegal, causing uneasiness and provoking public unrest.

At a later press conference, constitutional lawyer New Sin Yew said the commission had no right to block sites as it deprived Malaysians of the freedom of information.

“Malaysians have the right to free flow of information. How can the commission prove that the information on Bersih would threaten public order?” he said.

He said the action was “censorship to information” and called on the public to lodge a complaint on the commission’s move.

Echoing the same sentiment, Bersih 2.0 resource coordinator Dr Wong Chin Huat said commission was also putting the Malaysian economy at risk with the ban.

“The MCMC was sending out the wrong signal for businesses as free flow of information was necessary for a modern economy to operate,” he said.

Bersih 2.0 chief and activist Maria Chin Abdullah said her group would strongly protest against any ban.