In a controversial move that has received next to no press coverage in Western media, the government of Malaysia has attempted to reroute DNS servers in the country to prevent residents from seeing certain content on different websites in a bold attempt to control the freedom of information and public opinion. However, due to severe backlash from citizens the government reversed course for the time being.
To understand what the Malaysian government tried to do, Lowyat.net reported in August: ‘Two local internet service providers (ISPs), Maxis and TIME, have implemented a transparent DNS proxy, according to transparency and accountability initiative Sinar Project. This implementation redirects DNS queries to Google and Cloudflare public DNS servers, rendering users to no longer access websites blocked by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).’
As defined by Cloudflare:
The Domain Name System (DNS) is the phonebook of the Internet. Humans access information online through domain names, like nytimes.com or espn.com. Web browsers interact through Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. DNS translates domain names to IP addresses so browsers can load Internet resources.
Each device connected to the Internet has a unique IP address which other machines use to find the device.
The process of DNS resolution involves converting a hostname (such as www.example.com) into a computer-friendly IP address (such as 192.168.1.1). An IP address is given to each device on the Internet, and that address is necessary to find the appropriate Internet device – like a street address is used to find a particular home. When a user wants to load a webpage, a translation must occur between what a user types into their web browser (example.com) and the machine-friendly address necessary to locate the example.com webpage.
Lowyat.net explained that ‘Maxis automatically redirects DNS queries directed to Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8) to its own servers. Similarly, TIME is redirecting DNS queries intended for both Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8) and Cloudflare Public DNS (1.1.1.1) to its own servers. In addition to MCMC blocked websites, other addresses returned from ISP DNS servers can also differ from those returned by Google and Cloudflare.’
In other words, in the words of tech repairman and right-to-repair advocate Louis Rossman, “Imagine that you are looking for the number for Rossman Repair Group, and when you call the number listed in the phonebook you get the Apple Store Genius Bar.” He added, “The government will then have the power to keep you from visiting certain websites, but more importantly they would have the power to trick you into believing that you are on website ‘x,’ when you are actually on website ‘y.'”
This sets a dangerous precedent concerning the freedom to access information, something many people in the country are very angry about.
Last week, MCMC purportedly began requiring that all ISPs in the country implement public DNS redirection, namely for businesses, enterprises, and governments, by September 30th. Locals took to Reddit to post examples of the redirect.
Maxis explained in an FAQ why they are implementing the changes: “Under the current direction, this method helps to block access to websites involved in online gambling, pornography, copyright violations, scams, and other illegal activities. The goal is to create a safer internet experience, especially for vulnerable users such as children and teenagers, by preventing access to inappropriate or dangerous sites.”
However, a couple of days later the MCMC was ordered to stand down by Fahmi Fadzil, the Minister of Communications. He said in a statement on X:
Online crime issues including access to gambling websites, prostitution, pornography and the like are of great concern and require a comprehensive solution. The government will not compromise on this, to ensure online safety for Malaysians, especially children and families.
However, taking into account the views conveyed through a series of engagements @MCMC_RASMI as well as from the general public, I have requested that MCMC rather not proceed with the implementation of the Domain Name System (DNS) management routing method. At the same time, MCMC will continue a series of engagements with all stakeholders to obtain views, suggestions and recommendations to ensure that the objective of a safer internet can be achieved together.
Then in a statement, MCMC denied the measure was “draconian.” “DNS redirection ensures that harmful websites are blocked while legitimate websites remain reachable without noticeable disruption,” MCMC said, ‘adding that it had blocked 24,277 websites between 2018 and Aug. 1, 2024 to protect users’ safety,’ Reuters reported.
Before the government began manipulating DNS servers, Malaysia was reportedly one of the top governments demanding TikTok remove a slew of content. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said at the time:
If you allow racism or fascism to flourish or religious bigotry to have a freehold in this country, then you must anticipate the possibility of friction, racial strife and religious disharmony.
Of course, we have been criticized … I don’t mind. It doesn’t matter if you downgrade [our rank] because we are tough against the racists and the religious bigots. In my mind, saving this country and protecting the rights of the majority and the minorities is more important than getting high marks or international recognition.
The Strait Times reported in May evidence of growing corruption in the government with the current administration making what appeared to be attempts to quell outside noise from political opponents and other critics. The paper wrote:
Mr Anwar had said at the Qatar Economic Forum on May 14 that it would be a “disaster” to expedite reforms by assuming that “the elites have all the answers without even interacting with the masses”.
The statement was widely mocked by analysts and civil society, with electoral reforms coalition Bersih pointing out that “for 25 years (in opposition), Anwar called for electoral reforms and the abolition of draconian weapons such as the Sedition Act”.
“How about separating the offices of prime minister and finance minister or imposing term limits for the prime minister?” asked Bersih executive director Ooi Kok Hin, referring to the campaign promises made by PH less than two years ago.
“Why are they (the reforms) suddenly ‘radical’ now?” he added, dismissing the notion that these reforms would shock the masses.
One of the opponents, the widely popular Sanusi Md Nor, attracted large crowds because of his blunt criticisms of the government and was viewed as a threat in August elections. Sanusi had a large following on TikTok consisting of roughly 480,000 followers and 5.5 million likes before it was deleted in July, which the government denies having a part of, even though Malaysia is a top leading nation in requesting TikTok remove certain content.
Learn more about the issue in Rossman’s videos, which includes a long list of citations.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
In typical fashion, Anwar, another run-of-the-mill corrupt politician, ran on power to the people and freedom of speech; and now he’s weaponizing the very Sedition laws he promised he’d reform to shut up his opponents.
Proverbs 28:15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
For obvious reasons, this sets a very dangerous precedent that the government can just start directing residents to its propaganda they want people to see; and if it can happen then it can most definitely happen in the U.S. and EU.
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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Seems to be, it would be better to change the prefix to ‘xxx._______.com’ (vs ‘www’) for those types of sites, along with an age restriction. They can’t / won’t do that though, because the true intent is not what they claim. They want to be the ultimate authority of sites visited – for their own malicious intent.
Once again, they are hiding behind children.
Why should freedom of speech and freedom of press be allowed? Why should a government which is doing what it believes to be right allow itself to be criticized? It would not allow opposition by lethal weapons. Ideas are much more fatal things than guns. Why should any man be allowed to buy a printing press and disseminate pernicious opinions calculated to embarrass the government?
–Vladimir Lenin
The printing press has been replaced with a new printing press–social media, websites, youtube, and comment sections that allow people free expression of opinions and beliefs. Lenin’s disciples are working hard to end the free “printing presses” of our day.
Well said.