Brunei Keeping Close Eye On Cyber-Slander, Says Official

Bandar Seri Begawan - Amidst growing public concern over the unbridled proliferation of cyber-malice against various individuals and institutions in Brunei, the authorities have warned the alleged offenders, with drastic punitive action.

State agencies are keeping close tab on the rather disturbing trend as irresponsible websites continue to allow their channels to be used as gateways of libel, slander and defamation of the worst order, informed sources said.

Officials meanwhile are monitoring the open forums posted on some Brunei based websites in accordance to the provisions of the Internet Law, which was enacted this year.

Irresponsible or unethical webmasters that disrupted the social harmony and security could get their operating licence terminated sources pointed out.

Some open forums posted in Bruneian websites seem to abuse their privilege. They have converted themselves to be avenues hell-bent on slandering individuals or organisations sources said.

Meanwhile Dato Paduka Haji Hazair, the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday told the Sunday Bulletin that the Internet Law provides a code of practice that should be followed by webmasters and operators.

This among others restricted malicious activities that could threaten social harmony among the people for instance, the use of abusive, obscene, vulgar words and pornographic materials.

According to him the government is adopting an open policy in this context and encouraged self-regulation.

This means that the webmasters or operators should follow the code of conduct as stated in the Internet Law and ensure that the activities that they initiated in their respective websites would not be detrimental to any individuals or organisations.

“If the webmasters are found violating the laws, one of the actions that the government could undertake is to terminate their licence forthwith,” he stressed yesterday.

He also confirmed that the government is monitoring the activities, as these come under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister’s Office.

All webmasters should register their websites and public forums with the Prime Minister’s Office, he added

Apart from that the Prime Minister’s Office also conducted meetings with the webmasters and operators and provided them with guidelines adhering to the provisions of the Internet Law.

A senior legal officer said that civil defamation is also applicable in cyberspace.

“We do have criminal defamation legislation, that provides for proper punishment. And this law is applicable be it on the Internet or in the print media,” he added.

In an interview Mr Butch Villante, the Webmaster of Bruclass.com said that messages are edited everyday and as soon as there is an indication of personal attack, they just censored the names.

He added that the Asian Community is one of the popular pages in Brunclass.com since the website was launched in 1997.

Meanwhile they also have an open forum that discusses current issues, which is one of their ways to encourage freedom of expression.

Mr Ignatius Stephen of Brudirect.com remarked that freedom of expression is like a razorblade, it is a very fine instrument that could hurt a lot of people if it is not use correctly.

He said that freedom of expression should be followed with utmost responsibility. “ It is not the freedom of the wild ass,” he said.

Referring to abuse of the open forums, he said some people write in and they don’t touch on the issues but they go on rampage carrying on personal attacks while the innocent victim could suffer irreparable damage.

“I do not know of any other country where personal attacks in the cyberspace are so common as here, particularly in using vulgar and downright words,” he added.

He said that it is totally irresponsible for people to create such sites to gain more hits and shoot to popularity.

“They should be warned and appropriate action taken without any further delay.

“Posting messages that aim at slandering people would reflect badly on the Brunei in the eyes of the international community.

“Regrettably, this seems to have become favourite pastime of some people here who take their personal vendetta into cyberspace.

“In BruDirect.com, our ‘Have Your Say’ is conducted in a more mature, and thoughtful manner on varied subjects. While upholding the freedom of speech, we do not let anyone to misuse or abuse our website for their personal wars or use it to slander people and organisations.

“The column encourages people to speak up in a civilised way. They present facts in a proper way, how to behave and not to get overemotional,” he added. (Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin)

By Suriani Garip

2 December 2001

Courtesy of Brudirect.com News