Cyber laws constantly under review, says Moggie
By R.S. Kumar
18th April 2001 (The Sun)

KUALA LUMPUR, Tues: The move to tighten laws to deal with misuse and abuse of the Internet is part of an ongoing process to make such laws relevant. Energy, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Leo Moggie said the government is looking at tackling the problem "with an open mind and not to curb freedom in the cyber world".

He said this when asked to comment on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad's statement yesterday on the need to review deterrent laws such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act to make them more effective in the age of information technology.

Moggie was speaking to reporters at the launching of the Malaysia Corporate Information Technology Conference & Exhibition (Citex 2001) at the Sunway Lagoon Resort hotel in Bandar Sunway here this morning. Moggie said the ministry is constantly reviewing cyber laws to plug loopholes and his officers are working closely with the Attorney-General's Chambers in strengthening the laws to ensure that they are relevant in fast-paced cyber world.

"Some of the existing legislation were drafted between three and four years ago, and we have to consistently revise them so that they are relevant in accordance with current need," said Moggie. Citing an example, he said that the proposed Personal Data Protection Act or PDA, which will be tabled in parliament soon, is in its final stage of drafting.

To date more than 50 companies have signed up to take part in the exhibition which will be held at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre here from May 10 to May 13. The premier exhibition on information and communication technology is jointly organised by the Federation of Public Listed Companies Bhd and the Energy, Communications & Multimedia Ministry. Federation president Datuk Megat Najmuddin Khas urged companies listed in the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange to take the opportunity and participate in the exhibition.