Regional center to check Net crimes proposed<\/p>\n
KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Southeast Asian countries should set up a
\nsecurity center to shield the region from Internet abuses and
\nrising cybercrime, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Friday.<\/p>\n
In a speech to open a meeting of telecommunication ministers
\nfrom the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Mahathir said a
\nregional technology security center would also help member
\ncountries build knowledge-based economies.<\/p>\n
The speech was delivered on Mahathir's behalf by his
\nTelecommunications Minister Leo Moggie.<\/p>\n
ASEAN telecommunications ministers met in Kuala Lumpur for the
\nfirst time Friday for talks on a wide range of cross-border
\nissues on information technology.<\/p>\n
ASEAN groups Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore,
\nBrunei, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia.<\/p>\n
Mahathir said a regional network security center would help
\nformulate a comprehensive regulatory framework, especially
\nrelating to Internet commerce related activities.<\/p>\n
\"The center can play an important role in assessing the e-
\nsecurity readiness of ASEAN member countries and facilitate
\ntraining and exchange programs for network security enforcement,\"
\nMahathir said.<\/p>\n
The Malaysian leader also urged ASEAN countries to work
\ntogether to deal with trans-border Internet abuses which could
\nnot be curbed due to the Internet's global character.<\/p>\n
\"For instance, those responsible for disseminating offensive
\ninformation on the Net cannot be prosecuted in a particular
\ncountry if the website is hosted outside its border,\" Mahathir
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Mahathir said the number of websites dedicated to \"hate
\ninformation\" and pornography was increasing and influencing young
\npeople.<\/p>\n
In Malaysia, Mahathir's government have announced plans to
\nregulate the Internet after scores of websites sprung up in the
\nlast three years, many of them critical of his 20 year rule.<\/p>\n
The proposed laws could limit independent Web-based news
\nsites' ability to criticize the government, which have so far
\nescaped stiff press regulation because Mahathir promised high-
\ntech investors his administration would not try to control
\nMalaysian Internet content.<\/p>\n
On Friday, Mahathir urged ASEAN countries to be cautious in
\ntheir drive to built an Internet competent society.<\/p>\n
\"It is vital that ASEAN determines its own agenda,\" he said.
\n\"We have to identify ... our shortcomings and together chart the
\ncourse toward transforming the region into a viable knowledge
\nbased economy.\"<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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