[June 17, 2011] Govt won't filter Net despite attacks, says M'sian DPM Tweet Jun 17, 2011 (The Star - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ANN) -- The Government of Malaysia will continue its policy of not filtering the Internet, regardless of attempts to hack into its websites or otherwise, said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. However, he said that such hacking attempts were of great concern as they affected the online system and the Government was monitoring the effects on national security. "We are monitoring the situation very closely. "We hope such action will not be continued," he said after attending the Asean Dengue Day function where he launched the national-level Communication for Behavioural Impact guideline book. Muhyiddin said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had the right to monitor and take action against those who violated the law or threatened national security. "This should not be seen as a restriction of one's freedom to get services via the Internet," said Muhyiddin, who acknowledged that the hacking attempts were related to actions taken by MCMC to block 10 file-sharing sites. In Kluang, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the special branch and intelligence agencies would activate their links with international sources to identify and clamp down on the hackers, which attacked several official government websites. In Kuala Lumpur, Bernama reported that Deputy Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said police had a fresh lead into those responsible for hacking several government and private sector websites but declined to comment further. "If investigations reveal that there is a criminal motive, we will propose to the MCMC to block their websites," he said after attending a National Defence Fund cheque presentation ceremony. A group of cyber criminals known as Dragon Force Malaysia managed to hack the websites of the Polytechnic Studies Department, Higher Education Department and a private tourism portal, early Thursday morning. To see more of the Asia News Network, go to http://www.asianewsnet.net/home/ Copyright (c) 2011, The Star, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia / Asia News Network Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]