Ministry Mulls Porn Filter At Cybercafes
12th April 2006 (Bernama) KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 (Bernama) -- The Housing and Local Government Ministry is considering the use of a pornographic filter on access to the Internet at all cybercafes. Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry Dr S. Subramaniam said it was part of a joint collaboration with the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and the Energy, Water and Communications Ministry to identity an effective way of dealing with access to pornographic content on the Internet. He was replying to a question from Datuk Idris Haron (BN-Tangga Batu) in the Dewan Rakyat Wednesday. Subramaniam said all local authorities had adopted and enforced the guidelines on the control of cybercafes aimed at curbing the misuse of such premises. According to the guidelines, the activities of cybercafes had been limited to information dissemination and search via the Internet, he said. "Other activities are not allowed at all, particularly those in the form of entertainment like video games, gambling, obtaining pornographic pictures and music, and sale of printed material with negative elements," he said. Cybercafe operators found to have breached the guidelines could be fined or have their licences revoked, Subramanian said. He said the local authorities could impose tighter conditions by taking into account the suitability of the location and safety of the premises. -- BERNAMA |
