The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) failure to prosecute those who hurled insults and incite hatred online is due to lack of proof and computer forensics experts.

Information Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim said many cases of abuse involving social websites had been reported to MCMC for follow-up action.

"We need proof that can stand in court. It is difficult for prosecutors to succeed based only on proof available on hard disks," he told reporters after an Aidilfitri function in Jelebu today.

Rais said to this end, MCMC had formed a special team to study computer forensics to retrieve information erased from hard disks.

    

"Knowledge in computer forensics will make it easier for us to deal with the likes of Facebook and Twitter and how addresses are used in websites.

He said the government is serious in checking the spread of negative materials online as Namewee had done to 'Negaraku' and Tenaga Nasional Berhad.

namewee nah 020910 "Namewee's case is not the only one where proof had been erased," he added.

Rais said 13 cases of insult and racial incitement had been sent to the attorney-general for consideration.

MCMC had set up a special team together with the police to handle threats to national security and unity in cyberspace following increasing reports that involve racial incitement via Facebook and Twitter .

- Bernama