Bloggers won't be forced to register: Abdullah

Blog News

Bloggers in Malaysia may have to register so as to identify themself. This may be because some unethical bloggers blog posts.However, the PM of Malaysia, Mr Abdullah, said that bloggers won't be forced to register. Below is the news that was publish in the Today paper of Singapore on 10 Apr 07.

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said yesterday that bloggers will not be forced to register themselves, but existing laws will be used to exert more control on irresponsible blogging.

"Even if we asked them to register there will be those who will go by other names and will use other channels, including using servers outside the country," he told reporters.

"This is not something we are considering at the moment and it has to be properly studied as there are existing laws and regulations to be considered.

"There are laws in the country and they will be enforced when they need to be enforced," Mr Abdullah said. "I know there are many who have now regretted their activities of posting their folk tales on the Internet," he said.

Mr Abdullah's comments come as Malaysian ministers issued fresh warnings to bloggers, including suggesting that bloggers identify themselves.

Last week, Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin said that bloggers should not be exempt from the same controls as mainstream media and accused them of using lies to overthrow the government.

Mr Abdullah has also launched attacks on bloggers and Inter- net users, accusing them of spreading lies about the government.

— AFP