Sounds like Media Matters is
setting up shop abroad.
MALAYSIA has formed a task force to scour the internet for blog postings deemed harmful to national unity.
Home ministry deputy secretary general for security Abdul Rahim Mohamad Radzi said the unit would involve the police, internet regulators, the information ministry and the attorney general's chambers.
"It is a mechanism that will coordinate these various agencies to help monitor what is being said in cyberspace and to take action against those that are trying to stoke racial tensions and disunity," he said.
Abdul Rahim said the group would also monitor alternative and mainstream media for similar content.
"There is a disturbing trend now appearing on the internet where some people are inciting racial unrest and causing confusion and this will damage the peace we have in the country," he said.
Sounds like a taste of what's eventually in store for us.
Police are also investigating ethnic Chinese rapper Wee Meng Chee for sedition, after he posted a three-minute rap on YouTube criticising a Malay headmistress accused of making racial slurs against minority students.
The government has ordered a probe into the case which caused anger among Malaysia's minorities, who complain their rights are being eroded as the country becomes increasingly "Islamised".
In another case, Malaysian journalist Irwan Abdul Rahman was charged this week over a satirical blog which made fun of the state power firm Tenaga, and faces a year's jail if convicted.
The prosecution caused a stir because unlike the mainstream press, the web and online media in Malaysia have remained relatively free, despite occasional raids, bans and government criticism.
Major newspapers and broadcasters are closely linked with the ruling coalition, so the internet has become a lively forum for dissent and debate.
Newspapers and broadcasters closely linked with the rulers? Hmm, that sounds so familiar.
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