We’ll apply international standards to regulate Net, says Najib

Malaysia will regulate, not restrict, Internet use to ensure it does not turn into an ungoverned space dominated by insults and untruths, says the prime minister. – Internet pic, August 20, 2015.

The government will implement international standards to regulate the Internet, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today.

"I specifically say regulate, not restrict – so that none should have to suffer being criminally defamed... and so that the Internet does not become an ungoverned space dominated by insults and untruths," he said when delivering his speech on “Leadership in challenging times” at the 25th Tunku Abdul Rahman lecture, organised by Malaysian Institute of Management in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

Najib said the government took the safety and security of all Malaysians seriously and that was why it introduced the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Najib said the nation's economic reforms had been matched by those in other areas, such as the abolishment of the Internal Security Act (ISA), Emergency Ordinance and the repeal of the Banishment Act and the Restricted Residence Act.

He said the country also passed the Peaceful Assembly Act, changed the law to allow students to participate in politics, and amended the Printing Presses and Publications Act.

"This was the greatest expansion of civil liberties in Malaysia’s history. Yet some outsiders have attacked us for not taking care of the people’s rights," he said.

Najib also slammed former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's “democracy is dead in Malaysia" remark.

Najib said if anyone doubted that Malaysians were denied rights to find fault with the government, they should spend a few moments looking online.

"We are acutely aware of the criticism levelled at the government – and we are listening. Unlike in many other countries in the developing world, no one will ever be arrested or prosecuted for the legitimate expression of their opinions.”

However, he said with freedom came responsibility and people who were open-minded and well informed were in a position to make enlightened judgments, but those who were ill-informed, would turn to half-truths and lies, and depended on unreliable sources.

"This is extremely dangerous. This is why my government intends to implement international standards to regulate the internet," he said. – Bernama