Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s political secretaries have jointly criticised the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for not wanting to probe into the “slanderous” allegations made by several blogs involving their boss.
The duo - Ng Wei Aik (left) and Zairil Mohd Khir - were referring to a letter received from the MCMC on Feb 20, saying that it will not investigate the blogs - Umno-Online, Pisau-Net and Papagomo - which had published allegations that Lim’s son had outraged the modesty of his female schoolmate.
Lim, who is also DAP secretary general, had vehemently denied theallegations and lodged a police report against the pro-Umno blogs for criminal defamation.
The duo - Ng Wei Aik (left) and Zairil Mohd Khir - were referring to a letter received from the MCMC on Feb 20, saying that it will not investigate the blogs - Umno-Online, Pisau-Net and Papagomo - which had published allegations that Lim’s son had outraged the modesty of his female schoolmate.Lim, who is also DAP secretary general, had vehemently denied theallegations and lodged a police report against the pro-Umno blogs for criminal defamation.
The alleged victim Anya Corke too has since denied the allegations, saying she had never before met Lim or his son in Penang.
At a press conference yesterday, Zairil said MCMC’s response was unclear because it was still uncertain whether the commission will continue to probe the case or assist the police in their probe.
“I will write another letter to ask for clarification. If they (MCMC) refuse to open a file for investigations, they will be deemed irresponsible,” he said.
Zairil (left) added that police should carry out its investigations as usual, but MCMC as a professional body should carry out its own probe, too.
The MCMC, after all, is empowered by the 1998 Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act to initiate action on any violation in cyberspace.
“Is the MCMC going to initiate investigations under the 1998 MCMC Act? If not, what is the reason?” he asked.
The MCMC letter, signed by Eneng Faridah Iskandar, the acting senior director of MCMC (Digital Security Services Department), said the commission had received the DAP’s inquiry regarding the case on Feb 9.
Eneng Faridah wrote the commission had viewed the matter and the related articles posted in the said blogs.
“For your information, the case is being probed by the police and the commission has been asked to assist.
“Therefore, we will not be carrying out any investigation into the matter as it (happens) to be the same case (as being probed by the police),” added Eneng Faridah.
Zairil said that last October, he had lodged another report against a video dubbed ‘Sembang Rakyat-Kedai 1Malaysia’ in YouTube.
The video purportedly accused the DAP of colluding with Chinese traders to increase prices of household goods.
“The MCMC had taken my statement but it’s been six months since my report and nothing has happened. We hope they will not repeat this act,” he added.
Meanwhile, Komtar assemblyperson Ng Wei Aik said he hoped the MCMC will not end up as a “toothless tiger” which refuses to act although they are mandated to do so by law.
He added that the MCMC is a commission and not a normal government agency.
“It is supposed to have more power to investigate. Police are probing the case from the aspect of defamation.
“The MCMC should open its own file and probe the slanderous postings spread via the internet,” he added.
Ng, who is Penang DAP secretary said that MCMC’s reluctance to investigate the matter shows that pro-Umno bloggers “are so powerful, they can do anything”.
“One (Papagomo) could even enter a submarine without being detected by radar. The MCMC has refused to probe Papagomo’s blog perhaps because he has dived into the sea and could not be found,” he joked.
At a press conference yesterday, Zairil said MCMC’s response was unclear because it was still uncertain whether the commission will continue to probe the case or assist the police in their probe.
“I will write another letter to ask for clarification. If they (MCMC) refuse to open a file for investigations, they will be deemed irresponsible,” he said.
Zairil (left) added that police should carry out its investigations as usual, but MCMC as a professional body should carry out its own probe, too.The MCMC, after all, is empowered by the 1998 Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act to initiate action on any violation in cyberspace.
“Is the MCMC going to initiate investigations under the 1998 MCMC Act? If not, what is the reason?” he asked.
The MCMC letter, signed by Eneng Faridah Iskandar, the acting senior director of MCMC (Digital Security Services Department), said the commission had received the DAP’s inquiry regarding the case on Feb 9.
Eneng Faridah wrote the commission had viewed the matter and the related articles posted in the said blogs.
“For your information, the case is being probed by the police and the commission has been asked to assist.
“Therefore, we will not be carrying out any investigation into the matter as it (happens) to be the same case (as being probed by the police),” added Eneng Faridah.
Zairil said that last October, he had lodged another report against a video dubbed ‘Sembang Rakyat-Kedai 1Malaysia’ in YouTube.
The video purportedly accused the DAP of colluding with Chinese traders to increase prices of household goods.
“The MCMC had taken my statement but it’s been six months since my report and nothing has happened. We hope they will not repeat this act,” he added.
Meanwhile, Komtar assemblyperson Ng Wei Aik said he hoped the MCMC will not end up as a “toothless tiger” which refuses to act although they are mandated to do so by law.He added that the MCMC is a commission and not a normal government agency.
“It is supposed to have more power to investigate. Police are probing the case from the aspect of defamation.
“The MCMC should open its own file and probe the slanderous postings spread via the internet,” he added.
Ng, who is Penang DAP secretary said that MCMC’s reluctance to investigate the matter shows that pro-Umno bloggers “are so powerful, they can do anything”.
“One (Papagomo) could even enter a submarine without being detected by radar. The MCMC has refused to probe Papagomo’s blog perhaps because he has dived into the sea and could not be found,” he joked.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.