Rais, don’t sue me. I’ll kiss arses… not!
Rais warns of legal action against errant private groups and bloggers
By BEH YUEN HUIKUALA LUMPUR: The Information, Communications, Culture and Arts Ministry will use a “diplomatic approach” in dealing with private media corporations and bloggers.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the ministry preferred to take follow-up efforts than legal action against those who have violated the laws.
He said they, however, have to act against the hardcore perpetrators.
“Those who have broken the laws have to face legal action. If we do not act on them, it is the fault of the administration.
“But I stress that using legal action will be our last resort,” he said.
He told reporters this yesterday after taking over duties from Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, who has been appointed Youth and Sports Minister.
Dr Rais, who is the former foreign minister, said he would study the current circumstances and find ways to work closer with private media groups and bloggers.
For this, he said a seminar on the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998 would be organised for journalists and bloggers.
The seminar will enable them to know the dos and don’ts under the acts, he said.
He said combining information and communications under one ministry would enable better efforts in enforcing the two laws.
“We want them to know that we have to take action if something happens,” he said, adding that the Bar Council would be invited to help organise the event.
Dr Rais also called on the private broadcast media stations to be pro-active in helping to develop the society and country.
He said some private television and radio stations had failed to adhere to laws that required them to play patriotic songs.
“Most of them are more concerned in making profit,” he said.
Dr Rais, who was the information minister from 1984 to 1986, said he would look into the contents of programmes provided by RTM and do the necessary rescheduling to attract more young viewers.
1. I am so afraid right now. But, wait… does any of my articles/posts break any law? I doubt so.
2. Calling stupid ministers as it is – STUPID, is that breaking the law? No I guess. Writing about discrepancies in government policies, irresponsible remarks by our politicians, quoting their moronic statements, insulting these gibbering numbskulls and ridiculing their mental capacity is breaking the laws? I doubt so.
3. Writing to share your own opinions on socio-political affairs and provides a platform for discussions of similar and dissenting views on current affairs and interests is against the laws? I doubt so.
4. Those who have broken the laws have to face legal action.
Nothing is wrong with the statement. But, this statement should apply to all Malaysians, not only certain groups of people, which described in the above news article as ‘private groups and bloggers’. Please do not apply the laws selectively. When you do this, you lose the last remnant of credibility and don’t cry wolf when people start questioning you. Hypocrites are not the most pleasant people to tolerate and live with.
So you are right when you mentioned “If we do not act on them, it is the fault of the administration.” Can you blame people for making noises when actions not taken against the perpetrators strolling along the corridors of power? When they see blatant display of injustice in front of their eyes. Give Malaysians some credits they deserve, not all are cluelessly submissive as you hope they would be.
5. That said, it’s a matter of saying what we want to say and how we say it. It is possible to write a fierce critism without pissing off the people you are criticising, but it takes a certain command of writing so pardon my limited vocabulary for not being articulate enough.
Nothing to fear people. What Mr. Minister above is trying to do is to instil fear. Politics of fear no longer work as FEAR is an acronym of False Evidence Appearing Real. 
and we are here to debunk the myths and baseless fears.
The Force is strong.
ps: Patriotic songs? To instill patriotism? What, are we living in the eighties? USSR already collapsed lah bro. You want patriotism to flourish among the citizens, make them feel being part of the country, being accepted without prejudice.
pss: Oh, you guys love my food posts eh? Like this one?
The girls have Vin Diesel or Paul Walker, make your pick to drool at.
1st thing he said to me when I asked him what happened to my blog