Internet Censorship Too ?

I am really shocked after reading this article :

Malaysian Insider : Malaysia mulls ‘Green Dam’ despite China’s failure

Let's put it simply, filtering is a form of censorship. Censorship violates MSC Bill of Guarantees Article 7 that reads "Ensure no Internet censorship". Whether it is to filter pornography or so-called "undesirable websites", it can't be denied it would be considered as internet censorship. Besides, the term "undesirable" is a very vague and subjective term, similar to phrases like "excite disaffection"

Why do we need to study from India, Pakistan, Australia and Hong Kong when we can learn from Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea ?

Even as we speak, Hong Kongers have begun a campaign against Internet filtering since last year. I'm really curious about the registration of bloggers part. From what I gather, many bloggers need to register themselves with respective free website providers before beginning their own writing.

Another point to take into context is, how does one define a blogger? One can be writing simple articles or music reviews over the net, does one have to register oneself? How about one that writes about cooking, but not in blogspot.com or wordpress.com? How about the other person that writes about drugs and fashion? How about a fellow that writes his opinions and letters on social matters and publish it all over the net?

Would they be considered bloggers too? Not music reviewer, writer, cooking reviewer, drug writer, fashion reviewer? If that is so, would it happen that perhaps people (including non-Malaysians) all over the internet will have to register with the Malaysian government in order for other Malaysians to view their work?

I am very sure people outside Malaysia will not do that for Malaysians.

This may be a serious deterrent to the growth of ICT industry in Malaysia.

Malaysians should be allowed to exercise their freedom in performing self-censorship. I believe it is not necessary for Malaysians to have a Big Brother / Parent Software deciding on what they should or should not view.

If one has sufficient religious conscience to perceive pornographic elements as negative, one would practise restrain from visiting pornographic sites.

As for other forms of "undesirable" sites, I believe Malaysians are able to read, judge and decide on the viability of the contents in those sites. Most Malaysian internet users have had sufficient education for performing such feat.

Malaysia Today Address Blocked, What about Blogs ?

Malaysiakini reported Malaysia Today blocked! Order from MCMC :
Excerpt: In a rare move, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has ordered all internet service providers (ISPs) to block controversial online portal Malaysia Today.

I was definitely shocked by this piece. Being a blogger and a frequent visitor of http://www.malaysia-today.net/ , to be denied entry is a serious bad news for me. On top of that, if the article is true, that is even more shocking, considering the fact that Malaysia is a free country and its citizens granted freedom of speech by the Constitution.

For the time being , Malaysia Today has re-launched its site at a temporary address ( http://mt.harapanmalaysia.com/2008 ). One can never know how long will this address be sustenable. The one thing certain in Malaysia these days is the assurance of uncertainty. Truly ironic but that is the fact.

Further details on configuring notebooks and laptops can be found here :
http://mt.harapanmalaysia.com/2008/content/view/11912/84/

Is it a coincidence that Malaysia-today.net address is blocked right after Anwar won in Permatang Pauh ? Seriously, I do hope it is a coincidence. If it is politically intentional, then there would be a serious cause of concern. I believe it is not necessary to elaborate further on this.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Insider reports : Somebody to target blogosphere next. Should I only write about cooking and shopping next time... ? Certainly, that is not what I like.

Good luck Malaysians ....... Please inform others of the new Malaysia Today address ....

Updates 07 September 2008 11.59 p.m.
Currently, http://mt.harapanmalaysia.com has been blocked.

The new address is http://mt.m2day.org/2008 .

Kempen Gerakan Anti Salah Maklumat (GASAK)

Malaysiakini melaporkan Gerakan Anti-Salah Maklumat (GASAK) ditubuhkan . Berikut merupakan maklumat yang lebih mendalam mengenai GASAK, dipetik dari laman web Malaysiakini :

Sebuah jawatankuasa yang dikenali sebagai Gerakan Anti-Salah Maklumat (GASAK) ditubuhkan hari ini untuk memberi penerangan ke seluruh negara bagi menyedarkan masyarakat agar tidak terus dipermainkan oleh media yang hanya inign memastikan satu-satu parti politik sahaja yang berkuasa. Setiausaha Sekretariat Penaja GASAK, Hasmi Hashim berkata, perkara itu bertentangan dengan semangat demokrasi. Pada dasarnya, tegas beliau, jawatankuasa penaja Gasak menggariskan tiga tuntutan minima yang melibatkan badan media di negara ini, iaitu:

-> Hentikan salah lapor.
-> Laporan seimbang kepada semua pihak.
-> Kebebasan editorial.
__________________________

Untuk keterangan yang lebih lanjut mengenai pertubuhan ini, sila lawati HarakahDaily.net . "Boikot Media Pembohong" adalah program pertama yang dilancarkan oleh GASAK.

Penubuhan organisasi sebegini memanglah dialu-alukan. Alangkah baiknya kalau idea ini dimakbulkan lebih awal. Namun, bak kata pepatah Bahasa Inggeris, "lewat lebih baik dari tidak ada" ("Better late than never"). Rasanya masa sudah sampai untuk media kita disedarkan dari tidur yang ramai rakyat Malaysia tidak berpuasa hati sekiranya laporan yang disiarkan berat sebelah, tidak menunjukkan cerita yang sepenuhnya ataupun diputarkan sehingga tidak masuk akal di atas sebab-sebab tertentu.

Sekiranya media utama berfungsi seperti apa yang penulis baru sahaja ketengahkan, maka boleh dikatakan media utama itu tidak professional dan tidak beretika. Di zaman Teknologi Maklumat ini, media adalah sesuatu unsur yang penting untuk pembangunan pemikiran rakyat.

Mengapakah orang Malaysia mencari maklumat di internet?
Tidak dapat dinafikan sesetengah orang Malaysia mencari maklumat dan gambar mengenai peristiwa terkini seperti kempen BERSIH dan Hindraf di media bebas internet seperti Malaysiakini dan Malaysia Today serta halaman blog. Persoalannya mengapa perkara sedemikian berlaku?

Sebagai contoh, peristiwa kempen BERSIH yang telah berlalu, terdapat begitu ramai yang memakai pakaian berwarna kuning berjalan kaki di dalam hujan menuju ke istana, kebanyakan media utama hanya mampu melaporkan bahawa kempen tersebut mengakibatkan kesesakan lalu lintas. Gambar yang ditonjolkan oleh sesetengah media utama merupakan gambar kereta yang sesak tetapi tiada satu pun yang menunjukkan manusia yang berhimpun walaupun kempen ini merupakan perhimpunan aman Malaysia yang paling besar dalam dekad ini. Angka hadirin yang dilaporkan pula tidak tepat.

Adakah kempen ini akan berkesan?
Menurut salah seorang Ahli Jawatankuasa GASAK (dipetik dari Suara Keadilan), kempen Boikot Media Utama adalah satu persambungan kempen tahun 1998, sewaktu kontroversi gerakan Reformasi. Namun, yang menjadi persoalannya, adakah kempen ini akan berjaya pada tahun 2007?

Penulis blogger ini tidak tahu sama ada kempen tahun 1998 boleh dianggap berjaya. Namun yang pasti, konsep blog tidak wujud sehinggalah tahun 2000. Kempen kesedaran pada tahun 2007 mesti menarik kerana yang berkempen bukanlah hanya Badan Bukan Kerajaan tetapi meliputi blogger-blogger yang merupakan rakyat Malaysia. Yang menjadi masalahnya, dapatkah mesej kempen ini dapat menembusi pemikiran rakyat yang tidak membaca artikel di internet?

Memandangkan masih tiada idea yang boleh mendatangkan hasil dengan lebih cepat untuk menyedarkan rakyat mengenai media utama, kempen ini haruslah disokong. Penulis blogger ini berharap GASAK telah merancang dengan rapi dengan meliputi setiap aspek dan pelosok masyarakat sebelum kegiatan dijalankan.

An " Accident " to Press Freedom

Malaysiakini reported Unruly Umno members punch photographer .


( Picture taken from Screenshots )

Scary, isn't it? Well, that is only half of the story. There is something even scarier to come..

Here it comes...

Regarding the incident related to the photo above, The Star published a piece of news. This is the important excerpt :

Cheras Umno head chief Datuk Syed Ali Alhabshi said that it was an accident.

He said DAP Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai had come with a few journalists to the front of the Cheras Recreational Centre, which housed the Yayasan Pendidikan Cheras and Cheras Umno office.

Syed Ali, who is also the foundation chairman, said an Umno member came out to ask why they were taking pictures of the building.

He claimed Tan then provoked the Umno members, who became upset and asked everyone to leave.

“It became tense and there was pushing and shoving. In the process, one of my people accidentally hit the photographer.”

Accident? Excuse me? That is an accident? Hahaha, dear me, that's pretty profound. Now, let's take a closer look at the "Accident" .... Now I found that word quite becoming.. Hahaha


( Picture taken from Screenshots )

Oh, "Accident"? Hmmn, I mean, how? Malaysians should feel happy and lucky that it was not reported that the reporter's face accidentally hit the fist of another person. Goodness gracious, if that's the case, it would definitely be a much more serious, ahermmmm, "accident".

Anyway, it does not matter if it is a (real) blow to Press freedom or an ermmmm "Accident", the person as well as the party whose member has got his hands into the photo and onto the face of another person must apologise.

It does not matter who make any form of provocation first or last. The person who hits another first (whoops, again I missed the word "accidentally"... hehehe) would be in the wrong. The party should demand its member who, ermmmm "accidentally" hit the photographer, to make a public apology.

Errmmm, "Accidentally" hitting someone from the press is a serious matter especially if it involves someone from the ruling party of the government. Apologising and promising that such an incident shall never happen again is an ethical thing to do. The only way to make this public is through a press conference. One should lead by good example (provided if there is any).

Seriously, Malaysians should read these blogs regarding the ermmmm, "accident" for more information :

1) Jeff Ooi : Violence against journalist... Umno style
2) Guangming Employee Punched by Umno, Slapped by MCA
3) What a Lulu : Speechless, Lulu Is Speechless
4) Rocky's Bru : A (real) blow to Press freedom

The bespectacled reporter in the picture is Mr. Koh Chun Seng from Guangming Daily. A police report was lodged.

Citizens In Solidarity with Raja Petra and Freedom of Speech !

I found this on the comment section of my website today .
Anonymous said...
New Petition... Citizens In Solidarity with Raja Petra and Freedom of Speech !
http://www.petitiononline.com/FrdmRPK/petition.html
Wednesday, July 25, 2007 1:19:00 PM

I visited the petition mentioned and these are the details that I have found...
___________________________________

To: The Government of Malaysia

Citizens In Solidarity with Raja Petra and Freedom of Speech !

Bloggers United ! Malaysian Citizens United ! Supporters of Freedom of Speech United !

We, hereby, Malaysian Citizens, the Boss of the Malaysian Government demand to be given the Freedom of Speech and Discussion.

We call for the government to respect the Malaysian Constitution in Freedom of Speech.

We protest against the formation of similar draconian, non-transparent, oppressive acts that undermine the freedom of the cyberspace such as certain sections of ISA, OSA, SA, UUCA and PPPA.

We protest the action against Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who is one of the Top 20 Asian Progressive, a Towering Malay Malaysian. We, Malaysian Citizens see it as a way government to clampdown on bloggers, cyberspace and freedom of speech !

Link:
http://www.worldbusinesslive.com/search/article/655151/top-20-asian-progressives/

We do not find any writings of Raja Petra Kamaruddin offensive. We protest any potential attempts to close down Malaysia Today, an avenue for freedom of speech !

We call the Malaysian government to not emulate China's Communist control on cyberspace !
We call the Malaysian government to investigate the corruption allegations supported by documents provided in Malaysia Today website.

We, Malaysian Citizens, the Boss of the Malaysian Government demands the government to investigate and clampdown on Corrupted Officers in a highly transparent manner and not Whistleblowers and Bloggers.

We, Malaysian Citizens urge that Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib be excluded from party, Members of Parliament Candidacy and elections until his name is cleared on the allegations in Malaysia Today.

We, Malaysian Citizens, the Boss will translate the actions of the Government into election votes. Malaysian Citizens choose and vote their government through democratic means !

Freedom of Speech, Constitution of Malaysia and Agong rules !

Sincerely,
The Undersigned
___________________________________

Interested people can do whatever necessary.

Raja Petra found the Police report puzzling as he claimed he had not written anything on the mentioned date in the report ( news from Malaysiakini )
Raja Petra is defiant after eight-hour grilling by Police in IPD Dang Wangi yesterday. There was a mention of certain "cybertroopers" essentially involved (read it in the link). Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib, the UMNO Information Chief made the police report.
___________________________________

As Malaysia made it international with BBC reporting " Malaysia cracks down on bloggers ", I feel a little chilled and grow concerned.
The new rules would allow a suspect to be detained indefinitely, without being charged or put on trial.

Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Sounds like a passage from repressive "Internal Security Act" ( ISA ). Finally, it has come.

Read this passage from Centre for Independent Journalism article Nazri, govt threats to bloggers alarming :
The Centre for Independent Journalism objects strongly to the government's threat to use the Internal Security Act (ISA) to silence critical bloggers. Detention without trial, as stipulated under the ISA, against a blogger is grossly disproportionate and alarming. The government's willingness to use the draconian law seems to affirm the speculation that it fears the freedom of speech over Internet. It also shows that the government takes the easy way out to punish a blogger without going through an open court process, besides violating the fundamental rights enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

I am actually writing this article in fear. I fear a number of things in my life. Of which, one includes the fear that I can't safeguard my own country against corruption. Fear to get married. I do not want my children to end up uncertain about the future like me. Fear of losing everything I have because of the mismanagement of people more "higher class" and position than me. Fear because I get intimidated year by year with words calling for "blood" and such.

Fear that if I do not speak up something bad would really happen. Fear that if I speak up, I may get caught.

I fear but I shall try my best to overcome and do something about it. After all, what is the meaning of 50th Merdeka when all one knows is fear?

Good luck and best wishes to all. May you celebrate 50th Merdeka with a sense of pride, dignity of what we achieved thus far with the political parties and politicians of this land. And... Make sure you celebrate it only at the permitted time set by our government.

Regards....

Who's Next? 1st Nat? 2nd RPK? Cyber-Axe Cometh?

Oh My God ! What is Happening to my Merdeka Country? 50th Anniversary of Merdeka is one month from now? ! ?
____________________________________

Malaysiakini: Umno lodges report against Malaysia Today

Lim Kit Siang: Axe finally coming down in Malaysian cyberspace - after Raja Petra, who’s next?
____________________________________

Terror ! Terror ! Help ! Help ! RED ALERT !!! CALL IN THE PROTECTORS...
(Picture courtesy of Wattahack? blog )


There was Nathaniel Tan .

Now, after RPK?

Who's Next? Who's Next?

Democratic Forum: No Debate on Islamic State?

As posted and requested by Tony Pua.

Democratic Forum: No Debate on Islamic State?

Panel of Distinguished Speakers:
Lim Kit Siang, Parliamentary Opposition Leader
Ambiga Sreenevasan, Malaysia Bar Council President
Malik Imtiaz, Human Rights Lawyer
Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, PKR Treasurer
Rev Dr Hermen Shastri, General Secretary, Council of Churches*
Lim Guan Eng, Secretary-General to DAP

* To be confirmed

Venue: KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall
Date: 25th July 2007 (Wednesday)
Time: 7.30 pm

If you feel strongly about the above issues, please bring friends and turn up in full force! Please forward this post to all concerned parties.
_________________________________________

As reported by Bernama, the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak proclaimed on 16th July that “We have never, never been secular... we are an Islamic state.”

Subsequently, as reported in Malaysiakini, the Internal Security Ministry has confirmed that they have given a directive to all mainstream media not to publish any news on the issue of Malaysia being an Islamic state.

Publications Control & Al-Quran Texts Unit senior officer Che Din Yusof said, “Yes, we have given the directive to all mainstream newspapers. Islam is a sensitive issue. They cannot publish any news on whether the country is secular or Islam.”

However, he said newpapers can still publish statements from Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak on the country being an Islamic state.

“Reaction from political parties and the public cannot be published especially the negative reactions,” he said.

In light of the seriousness of the above two major development on a 'democratic', multi-racial and multi-cultural Malaysia, and the reluctance of other BN component parties to pick up the gauntlet, the DAP is organising a public forum to discuss the above issues.

_________________________________________

Sagaladoola's note:
Previous related articles of http://sagaladoola.blogspot.com/
1) MCA Stressed: Malaysia Is Not What Najib Claimed
2) Weeping for a Merdeka State or Islamic State?
3) Hisham, Ultraman and Scared Kitty
4) MCA Bangsar Open Letter to UMNO Youth

Hisham, Ultraman and Scared Kitty

Ohh dear, I spotted this news in Malaysiakini this morning ....

Hisham's warning: Hey MCA! Shut up!
Jul 21, 07 5:45pm
Umno Youth has asked its Barisan Nasional partner MCA to cease its public campaign to declare Malaysia as a secular state.
-> Hisham: Saya beri amaran
-> MCA ministers gagged?

Hishamuddin is also the Education Minister of Malaysia.

The warning came in reply to the important point that MCA Stressed: Malaysia Is A Secular State. "Malaysia is an Islamic state" Najib said previously. I wrote the article "Weeping for a Merdeka State or Islamic State?" when Malaysiakini reported that all media were told not to broadcast or feature discussions and articles concerning Najib's infamous and unsubstantiated claim.

Anyway, MCA should instead ask for an apology from Najib and Hishammuddin for such actions. If Najib and Hishammuddin think they are right about Malaysia being an "Islamic State" and "never secular", they should come clean with proof and points.

The current situation would probably lead some Chinese to think MCA as a Wonderman for being vocal and may harbour bad sentiments towards UMNO. On the other hand, some Malays, Muslims may think UMNO is another Superman for Islam and MCA, a super-villain Bizarro.

Such suspicion will not benefit anyone on this land. The right approach should be solving it and making it clear in immediacy. The solution should not come from closed door meeting with ambiguous results.

Two components in one party should not have such differences. As representatives of different races in Malaysia, these contradicting statements will potentially "Divide" the people in the lines of races. BN (of UMNO and MCA) will have to "Rule" over these divided people. Malaysia may still be "divided and ruled" after 50 years of Merdeka ! That is dangerous to Malaysia. Especially, when there are "economic pirates or thieves" intending to siphon our money away.

Do we consider a "divided and ruled" nation as being free / "merdeka"?

Malaysians can think for themselves on this matter. Even as this article is being written, Lulu (a mainstream Malaysian blogger) is analysing the issue.

___________________________________________

Today is Sunday and it is currently raining, a nice condition for sleeping. I do not get much sleep these days. I do not sleep at work and I do not sleep in meetings. We all can guess what will happen when people sleep at work and meetings. When you are a leader it makes matters even worse. That would be equivalent to leaving the your subordinates directionless and the respective departments on auto-pilot. I do not want that to happen to anybody. Therefore, with common sense, I shall take a good rest and sleep this Rainy Sunday to avoid falling into that pathetic condition.

So, perhaps we should entertain ourselves with a few photos and internet cartoons. A picture speaks a thousand words. Few pictures speak few thousand words. Sorry for the crap that I am uttering.....



(Picture from Mob's Crib) That's what I call Ultraman Keris, or Kerisman ! Nice poster there Mobbie ....


(Picture courtesy of Lame Basket) I call that picture Freedom being Suppressed, oh, I mean, Pressed. The words mean almost the same I guess. Socially and politically we can associate it with media, speech and human rights. Great piece there from a Malaysian. Malaysia Boleh ! (and I really mean it).


Cute kitty ..... Kitty got scared when the hands that is holding it intend to press. Don't PRESS it with tough and powerful hands ! Scared Kitty will die !

(Picture from Jeff Ooi) This is a used Primary or Secondary School Education exercise book back in the 90s. Hope that Education Minister Hishamuddin Hussein still reads, understands and ensure the Rukunegara statements stay.

Rukunegara Malaysia
Kepercayaan Kepada Tuhan
Kesetiaan Kepada Raja dan Negara
Keluhuran Perlembagaan
Kedaulatan Undang-undang
Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan

I love the 3rd and 5th verse. 3rd verse means "Respect the Constitution". Our Constitution promises freedom. 5th verse means "Polite and Well-Mannered". When Tunku Abdul Rahman and other racial representatives "created" Malaysia, they intended that its citizens be civilised. Of course it is almost impossible to polite all the time but at least we try to be well-mannered when the situation allows. Am I wrong to say that?


? !

Hey Kitty, kitty .... ! Hope that everyone have a nice and chilling weekend with the cool rain. Perfect weather !

Shall listen to Bjork's Vespertine album before I get some lovely snooze. Chilling and Ethereal.

Weeping for a Merdeka State or Islamic State?

Oh dear! This is what I found in Malaysiakini regarding the Malaysian Government response towards the media after the sudden infamous statement ‘This is an Islamic state : Najib’ :

‘Malaysia is an Islamic state and not a secular one’
‘Islam is the official religion and we are an Islamic state’
‘We have never been secular…’

Jeff Ooi and Haris Ibrahim (of The People's Parliament) have given proof (with black and white) to prove Najib's statements as unfounded and false. MCA said "We are a secular nation", Non-governmental Groups is standing on the same ground . Malaysia Is Not What Najib Claimed to be.


With that, Ministry bans Islamic state debate in media (from Malaysiakini)
The Internal Security Ministry has confirmed that they have given a directive to all mainstream media not to publish any news on the issue of Malaysia being an Islamic state.
-> Sensitive, can cause tension
-> No negative reactions


This directive says so much about the freedom of speech in Malaysia.
___________________________________________

There are 8 questions I would like to pose to the Internal Security Ministry:

1) If discussions by the media would be considered "sensitive, can cause tension", why did Najib issue such "sensitive, can cause tension" remark in the first place?

2) Why was Najib allowed to spout such remarks but the media are not given the same permission?

3) What is Najib trying to do? Is he trying to uphold the Constitution as created by his father Tun Abdul Razak, Tunku Abdul Rahman with the support of Tun Hussein Onn or go against it? Tunku, the Father of Independence had said in 1983 that Malaysia has always been a secular state with Islam as the official religion.

4) Information Minister, Zainuddin Maidin has periodically reminded media practitioners to respect the Malaysian social contract. Why is Zainuddin mum over this social contract issue?

Link: http://bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=263361

This is the remark passed by Zainuddin Maidin as reported by Bernama:
"Lately, I found that most of the (political) bloggers have the tendency to question the basis of the social contract which had been agreed upon by our forefathers," he said."

Why didn't Zainuddin Maidin remind Najib to "respect the status quo of the social contract which became the pillar of this nation."

5) If Najib thinks his claim is true, why did he not produce any supporting documents or thorough analysis on the issue when challenged?

6) Is Malaysia a merdeka state / freedom state? Does merdeka / freedom include freedom to speak and freedom to discuss and a free media? If not, what constitutes of merdeka?

7) Are there double standards on who should be banned, reminded or allowed to speak?

8) Does Najib have any hidden intention by bringing up an issue which has been solved aeons ago?

Tranungkite has the Malay version of the news. Even, the Muslims are ready for this dialogue.

Bobjots posted an interesting story Opposition representative Lim Guan Eng shared at a forum. :

The Thai media, Indonesian media and Malaysian media decided to ask God how to bring about media freedom.

After meeting God, the Thai media came out in tears lamenting how difficult it was to do so. The Indonesian media met God and came out in tears as well.

When the Malaysian media went for his audience with God, God saw who was coming ...

AND GOD WEPT!



Sad but true.

First it was wrongful arrest of Nathaniel Tan , and now this "strange" directive...

I can't hold back my tears. Now, I am weeping too ..... (while listening to Philip Glass's Violin Concerto - 1st Movement)