The Malaysian Insider website (TMI) was blocked yesterday after investigations found that it carried articles which could confuse the public.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak said the sources of some of these articles were not named, including the article on the Operational Assessment Panel which acted as an advisor to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
He said TMI's actions contravened Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 in which information from unverified sources contradicted the official statement from the MACC.
READ: MCMC confirms Malaysian Insider ban, warns others against publishing unverified reports
READ: TMI report on MACC panel confusing, chief editor will be questioned - Khalid
READ: MACC panel denies Malaysian Insider report
READ: Access to news portal The Malaysian Insider blocked for violating country's law
"When an article which is published is contradictory, and is from an unknown source, then its contents will surely confuse the public.
"That is not fair...so we took action and conducted an investigation into TMI," he told reporters here today.
Earlier, he launched the Karangkraf Carnival 2016 at the Karangkraf Complex here which will be held for three days until Sunday.
Yesterday, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced that the TMI portal had been blocked because its contents flouted Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
The Operational Assessment Panel has also issued an official statement which denied the TMI's report yesterday that it "had enough evidence to charge Najib in connection with the SRC."
Salleh added that the ministry was now working closely with the police to investigate the matter and said TMI's editor would also be called to make a statement.
Asked about what action could be taken against the TMI, he said there were many laws which could be applied in the issue, and the penalty would depend on the offence committed.
He said that the decision to block a portal or website was based on public complaints and not something that was taken lightly.
"If there is any basis, we will conduct initial investigations which will not side any party as there are certain procedures before a website is blocked," he said.
Salleh added that opinions which differed from that of the government's could be made through the proper channels.
He said the government was open to the opinions of the people and did not impose any controls.
"But be careful with every accusation made as it can confuse the public and lead to other things," he said.
Bernama
Fri Feb 26 2016
Salleh added that the ministry was now working closely with the police to investigate the matter and said TMI's editor would also be called to make a statement. - File photo
AWANI Pagi: Pendayaupayaan Pembangunan Sosio Ekonomi Bagi Memacu Wilayah Persekutuan
Ikuti temu bual bersama Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Wilayah Persekutuan), Dr Zaliha Mustafa di #AWANIPagi jam 7.30 pagi di saluran 501 Astro AWANI.
Pentagon, Jabatan Negara AS beri amaran jenayah perang Israel
Pegawai-pegawai tersebut telah memberi amaran peningkatan jumlah kematian di Gaza mungkin melanggar undang-undang antarabangsa.
200,000 pelarian tiba di Syria selepas serangan Israel ke atas Lubnan - UNHCR
Lebih 200,000 warga Syria dan Lubnan telah tiba di Syria dari Lubnan sejak serangan Israel bermula pada 23 Sept.
Belanjawan 2025: Kesalinghubungan internet di sekolah, kampus jadi keutamaan - Fahmi
Kementerian Komunikasi akan memberikan keutamaan dengan meneruskan usaha untuk meningkatkan dan memantapkan lagi prasarana kesalinghubungan melibatkan isu Internet, dalam Belanjawan 2025 yang akan dibentangkan pada 18 Okt ini.
Setahun solidariti, sokongan global untuk Palestin di tengah-tengah genosid berterusan Israel
Ribuan manusia di seluruh dunia turun ke jalanan untuk menyuarakan sokongan kepada Palestin dan menuntut keadilan.
Indonesia kecewakan China, raih kejuaraan badminton berpasukan campuran remaja dunia
Indonesia menewaskan China untuk muncul Juara Badminton Berpasukan Campuran Remaja Dunia dengan kemenangan 110-103 (mata terkumpul).
Bomba selamatkan tiga subkontrakor terkandas di kren pengangkat
Ketiga-tiga mangsa lelaki itu masing-masing berusia 24, 26 dan 32 tahun terkandas dengan anggaran ketinggian dua tingkat.
Hulu Perak daerah terbaharu dilanda banjir kilat
Banjir kilat berlaku disebabkan hujan lebat berterusan selama dua jam di sekitar Gerik.
Kejayaan pembangunan Sabah jadi kayu ukur pada PRN, PRU16 - Rafizi
Rafizi berkata kerjasama antara parti adalah perkara yang terus dibincangkan dalam kerangka semangat Kerajaan Perpaduan.
88 badan pensijilan halal luar negara dapat pengiktirafan JAKIM
Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) telah memberikan pengiktirafan kepada 88 badan pensijilan halal luar negara setakat Mei tahun ini.