Gerakan is against the call for censorship of the internet as there should be freedom of expression and the right to criticise in a democratic country like Malaysia.

koh tsu koon pc 300409 Party president Koh Tsu Koon firmly stated that there should be no censorship of the internet and there should be freedom to voice differences of opinions.

"Why should we have that (censorship of the internet)? We should be able to debate and engage in debates - even if they are critical we accept and we have to respond to the freedom of views and expressions," he said.

Koh said the government can correct its shortcomings through the criticisms and opinions of the public through the internet.

"If we stand corrected by constructive criticisms then we will gain the public's confidence," he said.

"There can be some form of censorship for pornographic material on the internet but not to drown out political dissent," he added in his speech at the party's Perak delegates conference in Ipoh today.

He said if there is more attempts to curb public expression, it will only fuel hatred towards the BN government.

At a press conference later, Koh expressed surprise when asked on the speculation that former PPP Youth chief T Murugiah may join Gerakan.

"Not that I know of. This is something new to me," he said.

Three factors in Perak

Earlier, Perak state chief Chang Ko Youn in his speech, took a swipe at Pakatan Rakayat and criticised their style of administrating the state government during their 10-month of rule.

He pointed out three factors that Gerakan and the state BN must convince the people of:

1) The change of government is legitimate.

2) The change was made in the interest of the people as Pakatan had failed to rule the state properly and it was devoid of any long-term goals and policies for the state and her people.

3) The BN state government has the interest of the people in mind and has the strength, experience and resources to implement programmes for all irrespective of race and religion.

"The Federal and state government must continue to implement people-friendly and expansionary policies to ensure economic growth and social stability.

"We (the party) will play the role of a watchdog to ensure policies are beneficial to the people. This is the only way to regain the support of the people," he said.