MCMC WILL INVESTIGATE BLOGGER WHO INSULTED LATE SULTAN OF JOHOR - RAIS

BANGI (Malaysia), Jan 25 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Communications and
Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will investigate a blogger for allegedly insulting
the late Sultan of Johor, Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr
Rais Yatim said.

He said that the Attorney-General would be asked to follow-up the
preliminary investigation by MCMC as it was a serious matter.

"This is just one of the many developments in the country. It is something
which we don't want to dwell on.

"We need more people who are appreciative of those who have contributed. It
is very seldom to find Asians lambasting a former head of state, especially the
late Sultan of Johor who was the King," he told pressmen after
opening a seminar on the contributions of Hamka at National University of
Malaysia (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - UKM) here Monday.


Rais was commenting a posting by blogger Aduka Taruna who allegedly insulted
the late Sultan of Johor, Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail.

The minister hoped that the people would not continue with such uncivilised
culture that was against our lifestyle, laws and the 1Malaysia concept.

"We have a lot of things to do. Nothing can be gained from running down
someone who just died. We can learn from the dark history of Rome. Please use
the intelligence given to build up Malaysia."

He added the ministry would allocate about RM100,000 (US$29,355) to aid UKM
students researching the contributions of famous Indonesian cleric Hamka.

He described the late Islamic scholar as someone unique who had contributed
to unity between Malaysia and Indonesia.

"I had a close relationship when he was still alive. He made Malay language
and Indonesia language a language of communication and knowledge," he said.

Hamka (1908-1981) or Abdul Malik Karim Amarullah was born in Maninjau,
Padang, West Sumetera.

-- BERNAMA