Wanita Gerakan supports freedom of speech but it must come with responsibility and accountability.

Wanita Gerakan secretary-general Jayanthi Devi Balaguru said today that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had every right to investigate and take action against online abuses such as abuse of religion, pornography, phising and sedition.

She, who is also the deputy chair of the Central Bureau on Human Rights & Law, however urged MCMC not only to discharge its duty without fear and favour but also must be seen to be impartial and not to misuse its power to persecute offenders based on political inclination or vindictiveness.

She said the last thing that MCMC would like to have is being perceived by the people as practicing double standards in cracking down online abuses.

“Cyber world just like the real world does not operate in legal vacuum. No one is above law and allowed to shield his or her online abuses that are seditious, racists or subversive in nature under the pretext of freedom of expression,” she said in a statement.

Jayanthi said freedom of speech should not be abused to instigate hatred, mischief or spread vicious lies or unfounded allegations that can destabilize our multi-racial society.

The MCMC has identified 13 Internet crimes which it says the Attorney-General’s Chambers can prosecute.

Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the cases covered a range of offences provided under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, such as abuse of religion, pornography, phishing and sedition.