Regional center to check Net crimes proposed

Regional center to check Net crimes proposed

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Southeast Asian countries should set up a
security center to shield the region from Internet abuses and
rising cybercrime, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Friday.

In a speech to open a meeting of telecommunication ministers
from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Mahathir said a
regional technology security center would also help member
countries build knowledge-based economies.

The speech was delivered on Mahathir's behalf by his
Telecommunications Minister Leo Moggie.

ASEAN telecommunications ministers met in Kuala Lumpur for the
first time Friday for talks on a wide range of cross-border
issues on information technology.

ASEAN groups Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore,
Brunei, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Mahathir said a regional network security center would help
formulate a comprehensive regulatory framework, especially
relating to Internet commerce related activities.

"The center can play an important role in assessing the e-
security readiness of ASEAN member countries and facilitate
training and exchange programs for network security enforcement,"
Mahathir said.

The Malaysian leader also urged ASEAN countries to work
together to deal with trans-border Internet abuses which could
not be curbed due to the Internet's global character.

"For instance, those responsible for disseminating offensive
information on the Net cannot be prosecuted in a particular
country if the website is hosted outside its border," Mahathir
said.

Mahathir said the number of websites dedicated to "hate
information" and pornography was increasing and influencing young
people.

In Malaysia, Mahathir's government have announced plans to
regulate the Internet after scores of websites sprung up in the
last three years, many of them critical of his 20 year rule.

The proposed laws could limit independent Web-based news
sites' ability to criticize the government, which have so far
escaped stiff press regulation because Mahathir promised high-
tech investors his administration would not try to control
Malaysian Internet content.

On Friday, Mahathir urged ASEAN countries to be cautious in
their drive to built an Internet competent society.

"It is vital that ASEAN determines its own agenda," he said.
"We have to identify ... our shortcomings and together chart the
course toward transforming the region into a viable knowledge
based economy."