KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 — Access to an alternative web address to The Malaysian Insider has been blocked by local Internet regulators over the same alleged violations that led them to ban the news portal’s main site yesterday.
Users of local Internet service providers who went to themalaysianoutsider.com this evening were greeted by the same takedown notice posted the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) that was displayed on themalaysianinsider.com.
The notice states that the website is not accessible locally as it violates Malaysian laws. The MCMC yesterday blocked The Malaysian Insider for allegedly violating Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
The commission did not specify the offending article or articles that prompted the ban, but it is believed to be over report or reports by The Malaysian Insider regarding an independent oversight panel of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
Police today questioned five members of the news portal’s editorial staff including chief executive officer Jahabar Saddiq at the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters here.
According to the news portal, the five were investigated under Section 124I of the Penal Code, Section 8 (a) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, and Section 233 of the CMA.
Section 124I covers dissemination of false reports that may cause public alarm, while Section 8A of the PPPA covers the publication of false news. Section 233 of the CMA pertains to improper use of network service and facilities.
