PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will no longer proceed with the implementation of Domain Name Server (DNS) redirection.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced on X that he had instructed the MCMC to halt the implementation after considering feedback from the public and participants of the MCMC’s engagement series.

“At the same time, MCMC will continue engaging with all stakeholders to gather input and recommendations, ensuring that the goal of a safer Internet can be achieved together,” Fahmi said.

He said the engagement sessions would allow MCMC to gather insights and recommendations, adding that the issue of online crimes, including access to gambling, prostitution, pornography websites and similar content, was a concern and required comprehensive solutions.

He stressed that the government would not compromise on the issue of cybercrimes.

Several social media users reacted positively to Fahmi’s announcement, including Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan, who said: “Thank you, YBM, for listening to the concerns of the tech community (and gamers).”

Previously, MCMC had instructed all Malaysian Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to implement public DNS redirection by Sept 30.

DNS redirection will stop those using public DNS services, such as Google’s DNS (8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4) and Cloudflare’s DNS (1.1.1.1 or 1.0.0.1) from bypassing government blocks.

DNS is a system that turns easy-to-remember website names into the numeric IP addresses that computers use to locate websites on the Internet.

However, with DNS redirection, requests to access blocked websites are rerouted to the DNS servers of a local service provider, effectively blocking access to the intended sites.

MCMC had said that the measure was intended to protect vulnerable groups from harmful online content, but the directive sparked backlash, with users voicing concerns about potential censorship of online content and some fearing that it could be used to restrict Internet freedom.

Lembah Jaya assemblyman Syed Ahmad Abdul Rahman Alhadad, popularly known as Altimet, described the measure as “draconian” in a post on X on Sept 7, adding that there were other ways to protect vulnerable groups.

He said the digital economy, which the nation is striving to further cultivate, could potentially suffer significant adverse effects.

“This is not the best way forward. I disagree with this decision,” he posted.

Despite that, he thanked Fahmi for listening to the people once the decision was reversed.

Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lim Yi Wei also chimed in on social media, describing the directive as a form of censorship.

She said the measure was inefficient, could introduce further cybersecurity risks and was counterproductive to the government’s efforts to promote tech start-ups, innovation and data centres.

She also thanked the minister after the implementation was halted, saying that there were other ways to tackle harmful sites and that the tech community had much to contribute.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/09/fahmi-dns-redirection-a-no-go