The government will "unleash another set of missiles" on Internet publications which threaten the country's security and this time around it will definitely hit the target, said minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Dr Rais Yatim today.

Internet publications are on the increase in Malaysia and as such "hate messages, seditious writings and e-mail advocating religious dissent and others" are becoming common, he said.

The minister was speaking at an international conference on cyber laws in Kuala Lumpur.

"Due to the government's no-censorship commitment, the initial missiles do not seem to follow the enemy but has ricocheted towards us. However, I assure you, the missile's inventor is not without imagination or recourse," he said.

However, Rais remained mum on the nature of the planned assault saying, "I will keep that a secret until such time when we are ready to unleash another set of missiles which will surely hit the target."

Under study

At a press conference later, the minister said that laws pertaining to crimes in virtual space have to be streamlined to catch up with the rapidly changing scenario.

"These perpetrators think they can get away with the existing laws, but we can catch up with them," he warned.

However, Rais did not give a specific time frame as to when the new 'law' would be ready and merely said a task force is already studying the matter.

He also refuted criticism that the new legislation infringes the government's no-censorship policy as stated in the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Bill of Guarantee.

The Bill was drafted in conjunction with the launch of the MSC four years ago.

"The 10 points mentioned in the Bill still stand. Two weeks ago, Australia introduced an anti-gambling law on the Internet. Is that censorship?" the minister asked.

Censorship has long been a controversial issue between local authorities and civil groups. Due to strict legislation governing the print and broadcast media, many have resorted to the Internet to publish views critical of the government.

News of the government's intention to curb unfavourable websites first came about when Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad proposed for a review of the existing media laws such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) two months ago.

Following this, Rais had said that the new laws would be introduced to cleanse the Internet of provocative materials and pornography.

Last week, Multimedia Development Corporation (MDC) executive chairman Dr Othman Yeop Abdullah said the government is only likely to propose a Code of Contents to serve as a guideline for websites.

Don't 'over-legislate'

Malaysian Bar Council president Mah Weng Kwai, who was also present at today's conference, when asked said he agreed that the advancements in cyber technologies are indeed overtaking the provisions under existing laws.

However, he stressed that the new laws must not impinge on fundamental liberties and civil rights.

"We should not over-legislate. The prosecutor will want a whole array of laws behind him to make sure that he will get the offender, but would that impinge fundamental liberties such as the freedom of speech?" Mah questioned.

The two-day conference will discuss the inadequacy of current laws in dealing with cyber crimes and the standardisation of court evidence in such cases.