Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said that the enforcement of the sedition guidelines for online content would be done with national security being given utmost priority, even if it contravenes the 10-point Bill of Guarantees of the Multimedia Super Corridor.

At the same time, he stressed that the new guidelines, which will now be presented to the cabinet for approval, is not a move to clamp down on press freedom or online communications.

NONE According to Nazri ( centre in photo ), the guidelines was aimed at clarifying the relevant laws to the public in a do's and don’ts format.

“We want to make it easier for the public so that they know what they can and cannot do...  what will be (acted) on and why it takes time,” he said.

The guidelines will incorporate the provisions of six enactments - the Penal Code, Sedition Act 1948, Film Censorship Act 2001, Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, Multimedia and Communications Act 1998 and Internal Security Act 1960 - and will be explained to the public through a nationwide roadshow, he said.

He was speaking to the media after a meeting between his ministry, the Home Ministry, and Information, Culture and Communications Ministry. 

'Joke of the year'

azlan Nazri also said there will be "nothing new" in the guidelines that is not already in law. Neither will be there be new offences or penalties.

"It is just that people don't understand. You want to talk about ‘no freedom of the press’ but I think it's the joke of the year. There is freedom but not to lie or slander," he said, noting that this too is stipulated in law.

He said the three ministries had met four times last year, and will now meet every two months.

In 2010, he said, 217 cases were investigated under the Multimedia and Communications Act.

No further action will be taken on 175 cases for reasons including lack of evidence, retraction by the complainant or because the website in question is hosted overseas.

A compound fine was imposed on 23 people for contravening the terms of the company licence, 13 were charged in court and six are still under investigation.

The police took up 38 cases, of which 29 are still under investigation. Five cases have been taken to court, but no further action will be taken in the remaining four cases for various reasons, including lack of evidence.

VIDEO | 14.40 mins