Did Putrajaya abandon its no internet censorship guarantee when Malaysia invited foreign investors to invest in Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC)?

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Putrajaya's Commitment to No Internet Censorship for MSC Investors Questioned

DAP MP Teresa Kok has raised significant concerns regarding Putrajaya's commitment to its no internet censorship guarantee for Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) investors, specifically questioning whether this guarantee has been abandoned following the blocking of Sarawak Report. Kok argued that restricting access to websites contradicts Bill of Guarantee No. 7, a foundational principle intended to assure foreign investors of an uncensored internet environment. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) blocked Sarawak Report, citing national stability and an ongoing investigation into 1MDB, a move that Kok labelled an "unmitigated political disaster" for Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Contradiction with MSC Bill of Guarantee No. 7

Teresa Kok specifically highlighted Multimedia Super Corridor Bill of Guarantee No. 7, which ensures that foreign investors would not face internet censorship. By blocking access to Sarawak Report, Kok contends that the government's actions directly contravene this guarantee. She questioned whether the government had rescinded this assurance, which was a key incentive for attracting foreign investment into the MSC, a flagship economic development zone.
Criticism of Website Blocking as a Response

Kok criticised the government's decision to block Sarawak Report rather than pursuing legal avenues. She stated that if the website had published fabricated lies, the government should have initiated legal action against it. The blocking of the site, in her view, suggests that the Prime Minister has "too much to hide," thereby creating a significant political setback. The reasons provided for the block, such as curbing fabricated news, were dismissed by Kok as insufficient justification for such a measure.
Context of 1MDB Investigations and Media Clampdown

The blocking of Sarawak Report occurred amidst a broader investigation into allegations surrounding 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), including claims of US$700 million being funnelled into Prime Minister Najib Razak's accounts. A special task force, comprising the Attorney-General's Chambers, the police, Bank Negara Malaysia, and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, was formed to probe these claims. Concurrently, Putrajaya had also taken action against local media outlets, such as The Edge Financial Daily, for their reporting on the 1MDB scandal, indicating a wider clampdown on information related to the issue.

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Did Putrajaya abandon its no internet censorship guarantee when Malaysia invited foreign investors to invest in Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC)?

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