Speaking to reporters at his office here, he said the move was decided by the cabinet at its weekly meeting Thursday and aimed at encouraging the people to continue using the Internet and websites as a means to disseminate information.

According to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), there were 126 websites of which access were blocked from January until so far this year due to infringements of its regulation, including insulting religion and cheating consumers.

According to Energy, Water and Communications Minister, Shaziman Abu Mansor, "a committee comprising representatives of the MCMC, police, Attorney-General's Chambers and the Home Ministry would be set up to monitor websites, especially those with excessive, seditious and racially sensitive content."

He said the government felt that the existing laws and regulations were sufficient and could be used against websites operators who undermine the country's peace and harmony.

"The cabinet had also asked the Attorney-General's Chambers to speed up the prosecution of operators of websites which are seditious, inciting racial hatred or insulting any religion, if there are sufficient evidence to do so," he said.

Shaziman said the government was aware that existing law such as the Sedition Act could be used against those who raise sensitive issues on the Internet.