Actions that they do in order to protest an amendment to the Evidence Act which came into force in Malaysia in April despite widespread opposition.
Action titled "Internet Blackout Day" was initiated by the Center for Independent Journalists (CIJ) Malaysia, which says that the amendment was "bad law that was inaugurated in a hurry and did not heed the interests of public participation."
Because the section 114A in the Evidence Act legislation states that all Internet users-including a website owner, social media accounts, and electronic devices are used, are responsible for all content loaded libel published by the linked site, even if the content is concerned not made by themselves.
That is, anyone from the start of individual users to the administrator who runs an online forum, blog, and hosting service threatened a lawsuit if there is content with the content of defamation published via their website or service.
Any Malaysian citizen who has a Facebook account can be entangled problems if not carefully before posting anything. Who face a greater problem is the owner of such forums Find who received 150 000 unique visitors per day,
"Now we can be sued for anything on-post (on this forum)," said founder and Chief Executive Search Liew Chew Keat, as quoted by the Asia News Network. "But it's impossible to watch every person here, or to prove that we are not a person who makes an offensive content."
According to this new law, suspects can be considered guilty unless proven otherwise. This point has been criticized as contrary to the principle of presumption of innocence.
Malaysia activists call the amendment as an effort of the government coalition that has ruled over the decade to suppress freedom of lime on the internet.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in elections next year will face tough opponents who use the internet for campaigning, as constrained by the traditional media.
Action by blocking internet sites Malaysia is scheduled to last for 24 hours until midnight. This action is similar to that carried out many sites in the U.S. - including Wikipedia - while protesting the bill Sopa / PIPA.
