Describing himself as "going against the grain of government thinking", Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang told Parliament to give serious attention to blogs and online portals.

In his motion of thanks today on the Royal Address, the DAP veteran leader said the profiles of blogs and Internet portals should be raised because the mainstream media has proven to be unreliable.

"The government-controlled media has often been guilty of misinformation and disinformation about the opposition especially during general election campaigns," he said.

"There is no need to open this dark and shameful chapter of mainstream media in Malaysia, and there are ample examples of the mainstream media not being the paragon of truth and virtue".

Lim then described his confusion over a Bernama report in which Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Musa Hassan had denied telling Utusan Malaysia that he wanted to investigate Deputy Internal Security Minister Mohd Johari Baharum over the RM5.5 million 'freedom for sale' scandal. (Johari has denied the allegation.)

According to Lim, the statement could not have been concocted because it was in a transcript of a taped interview. Also, the IGP would have barred the Utusan reporter from all police functions - instead Musa gave him another interview the next day.

Lim also blasted the internal security ministry for warning mainstream newspapers against quoting and publishing "anti-government articles" from online portals and blogs.

"Is the (ministry) really concerned whether the truth or falsehoods are being published in mainstream media or is it only concerned about the growing influence of blogs and Internet portals?" he asked.

This was in reference to the March 13 letter signed by the ministry's Publications Control and Al-Quran Texts Unit senior officer Che Din Yusof, reminding newspapers not to cite information from blogs and websites.

"As a responsible newspaper, the owner must observe the principles and code of ethics of journalism, which among others is to ensure that every news report must have a sound and proper basis," reads the letter, a copy of which was obtained by malaysiakini .

"It would not be advisable for a mainstream newspaper to play on public sentiments and deliberately go against the basic principles of journalism as this could undermine stability and national security."

Newspapers editors are constantly told that Condition 11 of the annual publishing permit requires them "to follow and not to act against" ministry directives.

The ministry has since claimed that the letter was a "request" and not a directive.

'Be civilised'

Markiman Kobiran (BN-Hulu Langat), in his motion of thanks, stressed the importance of responsible blogging.

"Blogs and bloggers have used the Internet to spread information about what they consider to be wrongdoing, corrupt or false," he said.

"But they have to be responsible with what they say and write. In other words, (accuracy of) content is the most important thing."

In the past, he said, even poison-pen letters (that are mailed could be traced in some way). But with Internet postings of poison-pen letters, the impact is instant and the discussion is widespread.

"As with writing for newspapers and journals, bloggers are subject to the same laws. What is considered wrong in the physical world is also wrong in the cyberworld."

Approached by malaysiakini to elaborate on his focus on blogs and bloggers, Markiman said he agrees with the need for information, but that due care should be exercised by bloggers.

"What matters is the subsequent effect of such blogs. The laws are not to hit bloggers and they are not restricted but they must be responsible," he explained.

"I am not advocating that any kind of restriction be placed on blogs and bloggers. They have a role to play in society. But they must be civilised with their words. Don't vent anger, hatred and gossip. This is very important."