PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA - The Cabinet has ordered the Multimedia and Communications Commission (MCMC) to reinstate access to all blocked websites, including the controversial Malaysia Today.

Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said the order was made because there were other "harsher" laws in the country, under which authorities could take action against the owners of blogs and websites, instead of blocking it.

'The Cabinet has asked the ministry to direct MCMC to reinstate access to any blocked website with immediate effect.

'At the same time, it is asking MCMC to closely cooperate with the police, the Attorney-General's Office and the Home Minister to monitor any website or blog to ensure that this does not contain seditious, racist or religiously insensitive remarks.

'Instead of blocking access to offensive websites, the Cabinet wants authorities to investigate and act quickly against the owners of these sites,' he told a press conference here yesterday, which was also attended by MCMC chief operating officer Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi.

To monitor the content of websites and blogs hosted in Malaysia, Shaziman added that a committee comprising representatives from the A-G's office, the Home and his ministries and police was set up two weeks ago.

However, the minister denied that the Government had come under pressure from various groups, including former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and deputy Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin who had criticised MCMC's blocking of Malaysia Today, to reinstate access.

Last month, MCMC had ordered all 21 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the country to block access to the news portal.

'As of today, Malaysia Today is no longer blocked,' said Shaziman.

He said action would now be taken against the owners under diverse laws such as the Sedition Act, the Penal Code, the Communications and Multimedia Act, and even under the Internal Security Act.

In the Cabinet meeting yesterday, the Prime Minister did inform the Home Ministry that detention under the ISA should be considered if the situation in the country has reached a dangerous and unacceptable level. -- The Star