8 theSun | FRIDAY APRIL 17 2009

news without borders

‘Twist the truth’ and face the music: Rais

by Tan Yi Liang
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
KUALA LUMPUR: Bloggers who
“twist the truth” should face the music
and be held accountable, says Infor-
mation, Communication and Culture
Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim.
“Anyone who violates the laws
of this country has to answer for his
actions. And there are various laws
that govern the rights of people to
communicate through the internet,”
he said.
Rais (left) said the Communica-
tions Act 1998 would be used to bring
errant bloggers to book.
“Those who have been maligned
by bloggers have the right to report it
to us,” he said, adding that a mecha-
nism would be established to prevent
abuse of the system.
Rais said the ministry was not out
to hunt down bloggers, but to ensure
that news was not “twisted”.
“We are not looking for people to
prosecute, but the Communications
Department under this ministry
will look out for news that has been
twisted or untruths.
“There already is a minimal stand-
ard of monitoring, but the public can
come to us if they feel they are being
harmed by acts on the internet which
intrude into their personal lives.”
When asked how the “truth” would
be evaluated in blog posts, he said it is
a matter of proof.
“It is very simple. If someone says
A is corrupt, he has to prove the cor-
ruption, and if he says A is a murderer,
he has to prove it. If he can’t, he has
to answer to the authorities. So one
should be careful when discussing
the personal matters of others, as this
ministry is playing a role in safeguard-
ing stability.”
Rais also said the ministry would
investigate posts by Malaysians
overseas and leave it to the Attorney-
General’s Chambers to decide on any
further action.
When asked whether investiga-
tions by the ministry would be per-
ceived as a form of censorship, he said
it was a question of enforcing the laws
in place.
Speaking to reporters after the
ministry’s monthly assembly at Lam-
an Budaya, Rais denied that Radio
Television Malaysia had blacked out
coverage of the Terengganu State
Assembly boycott on Monday, and
said RTM had a right to choose what
news it wished to air.
“I leave it to RTM to pick what
news it wants to air. It is just like any
other TV station, and the government
has the right to air what it thinks
should take priority. If there was any
bias, or if any party feels it was unfair,
we will investigate.”
The lack of coverage of the incident
should not be seen as censorship, he
said.
“We prioritise what we should
present to the people. There is no
prejudice,” Rais said, pointing out
that censorship was not limited to the
Malaysian media.
He said the ministry was commit-
ted to making the prime minister’s
One Malaysia concept a success.
“Our first goal would be to make
the concept and practice of One
Malaysia a success by involving the
facilities of the departments in this
ministry.
“We will use these departments
to provide information, entertain and
involve the public in the core aims of
the nation.”

Fairus threatens
to tell all if
name not cleared
FORMER Penang deputy chief Elizabeth Wong and former Ke-
minister Mohammad Fairus dah exco member V. Arumugam,
Khairuddin, who has fallen from been victimised, the party had
grace, vows to dig up dirt on Parti chosen to speak out only for the
Keadilan Rakyat and the Pakatan latter two.
Rakyat state government if PKR “They are only exco members,
does not clear his name in two while I am also the deputy chief
weeks. minister, but
Fairus, they (the
who went party) did
into hiding Press Digest not help me,
after res- by Kong See Hoh because
igning the newsdesk@thesundaily.com those who
state’s No. 2 victimised
post last month for alleged links me are ‘my own people’ from
to illegal sand quarry activities, the party.”
contacted Nanyang Siang Pau He said the people who had
on Tuesday to convey his mes- suggested he go into hiding were
sage and to clarify accusations also from the party, and their aim
made against him. to spare the party and its de facto
The 33-year-old Penanti state leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
assemblyman, who claimed to unnecessary attacks from detrac-
have been victimised by “his own tors.
people”, said that if PKR did not Fairus said the Malaysian
help him clear his name soon, he Anti-Corruption Commission had
would not discount the possibility yet to charge him for corruption
of calling a press conference to following its investigation into
tell all. allegations against him.
Fairus said the exposé would This was probably because it
concern the inner workings of did not have sufficient evidence
the PR and will have “far-reaching to do so, Fairus said, adding
consequences”. that he was ready to cooperate
He said it was because of his with the commission to clear his
knowledge of these inner work- name.
ings that the party was hesitant He said claims that he had
to take action against him. under-performed and was absent
“I am innocent. They know from government functions were
what I can do. They must not part of a “well-planned scheme to
force me (to do it).” victimise him”, and talk of his lack
Fairus said that although he of service to constituents played
had, like Selangor exco member up by the media.

Job seekers cheated

of RM300,000
A BOGUS job syndicate has cheated 30 people of a total RM300,000 in
introduction fees with offers of employment in England, Oriental Daily
News reported yesterday.
The victims, in their 20s and 30s, realised they had been duped only
after a long futile wait that ended with the agent disappearing.
The victims, “recruited” in three batches, paid between RM5,500
and RM14,800 to secure the non-existent jobs.
The agent, who claimed to work for an employment agency, had
since the end of last year passed the word in Sungai Siput that he was
looking for able-bodied young people to fill a number of vacancies in
England.
The victims lodged police reports when the man could not be
contacted earlier this month.
Some sought the help of Jalong assemblyman Leong Mee Meng to
publicise their case to warn others of the ruse.