BINTULU: Malaysia will prevent the online distribution of the movie Innocence of Muslims, which has raised the ire of Muslims worldwide for insulting Prophet Muhammad and Islam, said Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.
He said Malaysia would follow the move adopted by Islamic countries in the Middle East and Indonesia.
"I've instructed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to discuss the matter with the relevant authorities and ban access to the movie trailer via YouTube and other channels," he said after closing the ICT literacy workshop for Bintulu community leaders at the 1Malaysia Internet Centre in Kampung Penan Muslim, here, yesterday.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has been quoted as saying that the movie should be banned in Malaysia.
Rais said the ban served as a warning to all parties local or abroad that the government would not tolerate any negative elements touching upon racial and religious sensitivities.
Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said the producers of the movie should take measures to rectify the situation for the sake of world peace.
He said the government took the matter seriously as the movie depicted the Islamic community on the whole as extremists.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had issued a statement criticising the movie vehemently, he said.
"Not all Muslims are extremists. There are moderates and extremists in any race.
"What's important is for the moderates to come forth and resolve the extremist issues," he told reporters after the groundbreaking for the new Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (C) Pei Yin, here yesterday.
He said so far the situation in Libya was under control but the government was monitoring it and would not hesitate to evacuate any Malaysians there if the conditions warranted it.
In Kuala Berang, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein cautioned Malaysians to be rational and refrain from actions which could jeopardise the safety of others, such as the Libyan protests against the movie.
"We have to be careful in today's landscape, as issues are sparked both in the local and overseas context inciting hatred. We have to be rational but firm and not be over emotional to the point where national security is threatened.
"This angers not just Muslims but people of other religions as well who consider this movie as having gone overboard," he said after opening the Hulu Terengganu Umno delegates' meeting.
Hishammuddin said the ministry would monitor the safety of the United States embassy in Malaysia to ensure that any untoward incidents were avoided. Bernama
