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."