Nazri tasked to explain section 114a of Evidence Act

The Information, Communications and Culture Ministry has asked Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz to organise a special programme to explain to the people the amended Section 114A of the Evidence Act 1950.

Minister Rais Yatim said it was necessary for the people to understand the legislation well so that they were protected from Internet threats.

"For a start, the ministry through RTM would organise forums on a small, medium and large scale with expertise from the Attorney-General's Chambers to explain the legislation well," he told reporters after launching the Sabah state-level 1Malaysia Community carnival in Kampung Rampayan Laut near Kota Belud today.

Rais was asked whether the people had a sound understanding of the legislation which was amended in the Dewan Rakyat in April.

The amended section reads:

"Presumption of fact in publication

114A. (1) A person whose name, photograph or pseudonym appears on any publication depicting himself as the owner, host, administrator, editor or sub-editor, or who in any manner facilitates to publish or re-publish the publication is presumed to have published or re-published the contents of the publication unless the contrary is proved.

(2) A person who is registered with a network service provider as a subscriber of a network service on which any publication originates from is presumed to be the person who published or re-published the publication unless the contrary is proved.

(3) Any person who has in his custody or control any computer on which any publication originates from is presumed to have published or re-published the content of the publication unless the contrary is proved.

- Bernama