Malaysia's information minister has lashed out at bloggers, comparing some online critics to off-key karaoke singers who think too highly of themselves.
Zainuddin Maidin's criticism underscores increasing attempts by the government to rein in bloggers, whom authorities accuse of spreading false or malicious rumors to create political and racial tensions.
Zainuddin -- whose ministry oversees the mainstream media and is responsible for ensuring the public obtains accurate news and information -- said irresponsible bloggers were similar to "out of tune" karaoke singers who take pleasure in hearing their own voices but wield no real public influence, the national news agency Bernama reported late on Friday.
"The unwise actions of some bloggers tarnish the name of professional bloggers who use technology to spread knowledge, academic discussion ... and other matters of interest to the society," Bernama quoted Zainuddin as saying.
Zainuddin's aides could not immediately be reached for comment.
Malaysia's blogging community was swift to slam react.
"Please leave the name calling behind," blogger Achmed Rauff wrote. "That is so childish for a man of your position."
Malaysian authorities have voiced concerns in recent months over blogs that could be racially inflammatory -- a dire allegation in this multiethnic nation that prides itself on harmony between the majority Malay Muslims and the minority Chinese and Indian communities, who are mainly Buddhists, Christians or Hindus.
Law Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz has said the government is drafting new laws to control bloggers and will not hesitate to use existing laws such as the Internal Security Act -- which allows for detention without trial -- against bloggers who insult Islam or stir sensitive topics.
Concerns about Internet freedom increased when police recently questioned prominent political writer Raja Petra Kamarudin and Nathaniel Tan, a webmaster for an opposition party, over postings on their sites.
Earlier this year, two Malaysian bloggers were sued by the government-linked New Straits Times daily for allegedly libelous postings about the newspaper.
Criticism of the government in the media is rare, and blogs have become a popular alternative.
SEEKING CHANGE: A hospital worker said she did not vote in previous elections, but ‘now I can see that maybe my vote can change the system and the country’ Voting closed yesterday across the Solomon Islands in the south Pacific nation’s first general election since the government switched diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to Beijing and struck a secret security pact that has raised fears of the Chinese navy gaining a foothold in the region. The Solomon Islands’ closer relationship with China and a troubled domestic economy weighed on voters’ minds as they cast their ballots. As many as 420,000 registered voters had their say across 50 national seats. For the first time, the national vote also coincided with elections for eight of the 10 local governments. Esther Maeluma cast her vote in the
Nearly half of China’s major cities are suffering “moderate to severe” levels of subsidence, putting millions of people at risk of flooding, especially as sea levels rise, according to a study of nationwide satellite data released yesterday. The authors of the paper, published by the journal Science, found that 45 percent of China’s urban land was sinking faster than 3mm per year, with 16 percent at more than 10mm per year, driven not only by declining water tables, but also the sheer weight of the built environment. With China’s urban population already in excess of 900 million people, “even a small portion
UNSETTLING IMAGES: The scene took place in front of TV crews covering the Trump trial, with a CNN anchor calling it an ‘emotional and unbelievably disturbing moment’ A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former US president Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said yesterday. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) said the man was declared dead by staff at an area hospital. The man was in Collect Pond Park at about 1:30pm on Friday when he took out pamphlets espousing conspiracy theories, tossed them around, then doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire, officials and witnesses said. A large number of police officers were nearby when it happened. Some officers and bystanders rushed
HYPOCRISY? The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday asked whether Biden was talking about China or the US when he used the word ‘xenophobic’ US President Joe Biden on Wednesday called for a hike in steel tariffs on China, accusing Beijing of cheating as he spoke at a campaign event in Pennsylvania. Biden accused China of xenophobia, too, in a speech to union members in Pittsburgh. “They’re not competing, they’re cheating. They’re cheating and we’ve seen the damage here in America,” Biden said. Chinese steel companies “don’t need to worry about making a profit because the Chinese government is subsidizing them so heavily,” he said. Biden said he had called for the US Trade Representative to triple the tariff rates for Chinese steel and aluminum if Beijing was