Malaysians To Face Facebook Ban

The MCA Youth this Monday expressed its disagreement to a proposal by the federal government to study the possibility of blocking Facebook, adding that such a policy would sabotage the right of people to express their views and have a freedom of expression.

The legal bureau chairman of MCA Youth, Eric Choo said instead of blocking the website, leaders and ministers should listen to and engage people on social media in order to properly serve the people's best interests, in line with the prime minister's pledge of "People First, Performance Now".

"We would like to stress that Facebook, like all other forms of social media, is a platform for everyone to share their views and thoughts on issues," he said in a statement. According to the Sun Daily, last week, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said his ministry is conducting studies to gather public feedback on the proposal to block the social media site following cases of abuse.

He further added that there were over 2,000 reports lodged with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on an individual who insulted the King on Facebook. Choo further added that MCA Youth condemns such acts and support stern action to be taken by the authorities against the wrongdoer. However, it does not justify the blocking of Facebook.

He asked MCMC to step up its enforcement of existing laws against those who have breached laws through social media platforms since there are sufficient laws that can be used against such wrongdoers. He also urged social media users to be more responsible with their postings.

-oyetimes.com