Malaysia Uses Anti-Terrorism Laws To Stop Bloggers

Academiphiliac writes to mention the BBC reported in an article this morning that the Malaysian government may start using tough anti-terror laws to censor bloggers who insult either Islam or the country's king. "The move comes as one of Malaysia's leading online commentators has been questioned by police following a complaint by the main governing party. The new rules would allow a suspect to be detained indefinitely, without being charged or put on trial. But officials insist the law is not intended to strangle internet freedom."

Comments

When you look for terrorists

[WillAffleckUW]

Everything you find will look like a terrorist to you.

Just think of our experiences in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan - daily we hear reports that 70 terrorists were killed - and yet up to 50 percent of those terrorists are in fact younger than 10 years old.

The same will be true of Malaysia's looking for terrorist blogs. Lots of innocent people, upset at their government or a cop who copped a feel while "searching" their sister, will be declared to be terrorists.

And, since they will be said to be so, they won't be given adequate legal trials or lawyers or able to see their accuser or hear the evidence.

Evidence like: "Sometimes I feel like pouncing on cops and beating them up." Which could be said by someone who had a cop ignore their stolen bike.

But they'll be terrorists ... sure ...