KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will continue holding more stakeholder engagements on domain name system (DNS) rerouting.
This includes gathering views on alternative methods to tackle harmful online content, it said in a statement.
The internet regular issued its statement after holding an engagement session with tech companies earlier today to discuss the matter, which received backlash and saw Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil ordering a stop to DNS redirection yesterday.
MCMC today said its engagement session was held to provide clarity and correct public perception on the issue.
“It was also held to get stakeholders’ views on alternative approaches to address online harms,” MCMC said.
“In the engagement session, matters discussed involved DNS management and efforts undertaken by MCMC to curb harmful content through advocacy campaigns and collaboration with service providers.
“The programme continued with an interactive question and answer session where participants shared their views and suggestions on measures that need to be taken to deal with DNS redirection proactively and responsibly,” MCMC said.
The session was handled by MCMC’s chief network security officer Datuk Mohamed Sulaiman Sultan Suhaibuddeen, MCMC chief legal counsel L.S. Leonard, MCMC network security and information management head Syed Mokhsien Syed Mansor and Cybersecurity Malaysia’s responsive technology and services division chief Mohd Zabri Adil Talib.
“With programmes such as this MCMC hopes that critical issues such as DNS redirection could be understood better and concrete measures could be taken to protect the interests of internet users in Malaysia,” the regulator said.
Yesterday, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that MCMC was told not to proceed with the implementation of DNS redirection. This is done in line with input obtained from engagement sessions with stakeholders and feedback from members of the public.
However, Fahmi said that MCMC will continue engaging with stakeholders to gather input on achieving a safer internet. He also said that the government will not compromise in protecting Malaysian internet users, especially children, from online crimes.
The minister emphasised that online crimes, including access to gambling websites, prostitution services and pornography remain of great concern to his ministry and require a comprehensive solution.
The DNS redirection issue has courted much controversy in recent days, with netizens, government lawmakers and industry players expressing concern over how the move could potentially do more harm than good.
Previously, Fahmi had defended the MCMC directive requiring all internet service providers (ISPs) to implement public DNS redirection by the end of this month, stating that the move is aimed at blocking harmful websites related to online gambling and pornography. – September 9, 2024