MALAYSIA does not have the budget to install scanners to detect pornographic materials at its entry points, said Zahidi Zainul Abidin.

“Many countries use this technology, which allows mobile phones to be scanned for pornographic materials, including child pornography, at their airports,” the communications and multimedia deputy minister told the Dewan Rakyat today.

“Malaysia doesn’t have this yet as we don’t have the budget to install the technology.

“The funds have instead been allocated to provide internet access in rural areas. The money could’ve been used to buy the pornography scanners if the government had allowed it.”

He was replying to P. Khasturi (Batu Kawan-PH), who asked whether the government is able to detect child pornography materials at the country’s entry points.

Zahidi added that the government prefers to encourage self-regulation when it comes to internet use, as there are a myriad of social media platforms and applications available.

“With so many choices, the power to choose is with the consumer. The main message we want to send out is, use the internet responsibly and self-regulate,” he said in reply to a question by Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz (Bachok-PAS) on how Putrajaya intends to curb sites that promote pornography, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ideologies.

The deputy minister said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission opened 125 investigation papers on pornographic materials from 2018 to June this year, with five cases prosecuted in court.

MCMC has also blocked 2,484 pornographic websites since 2018, he said. – August 3, 2020.