Recently, the Malaysian government has made moves to 'block harmful websites' through a DNS redirection plan that makes even public DNS services like Google DNS and Cloudflare DNS unusable, forcing Internet Service Providers to implement DNS redirection by September 30th, 2024. 

For those of you who don’t know what this means, DNS redirection effectively just means that the government can control your access to any website at any time and decide what you can or cannot access by forcing your requests to only be processed through local servers that are under their control. 

Here is a short and super-simplified explanation about how DNS works and why DNS Redirection is a problem that I wrote for those of you who are not so technically aware.

While it is true that DNS Redirection can stem bad actors in the short run, it does not address the core problems of a lack of critical thinking and also malicious intent in the long run. It significantly hinders our right to access content that the government might not favor, and places Malaysian internet users at the mercy of future political administrations. 

We believe that the harms outweigh the benefits and that this initiative is not supportive of an educated society, veering disturbingly close to unreasonable censorship and authoritarian policing, fostering a culture of nannying rather than responsible internet usage that will directly harm Malaysia.

Moreover, there are many other technical dangers associated with DNS redirection. We outline a list (non-comprehensive) of dangers associated with this ill-informed policy below.

The Dangers of DNS Redirection:

1. A Threat to Internet Freedom:
   
   Introducing DNS redirection risks setting a dangerous precedent. Once in place, this tool can be easily extended to censor a wide range of content—from independent news sources to voices critical of the government. This could severely undermine free speech and the unrestricted flow of information, essential pillars of any democratic society. If Malaysia embraces such measures, it risks stifling personal freedoms and damaging its global image as a forward-thinking, tech-savvy nation.
   
   
2. Privacy and Security at Risk:
   
   DNS redirection exposes users to significant vulnerabilities, redirecting them to potentially insecure, unverified websites without their knowledge. This opens the door to data theft, manipulation of online content, and other breaches of privacy. Moreover, it blocks access to secure DNS services like those offered by Google and Cloudflare, stripping Malaysians of vital privacy tools and leaving them at the mercy of these redirection policies.
3. Censorship Will Escalate:
   
   Implementing DNS redirection is the first step on a slippery slope toward greater censorship.
   
   Once the system is in place, it becomes far easier for authorities to block websites and restrict information, echoing the heavy-handed content controls seen in authoritarian regimes. The potential for future abuse is real, and the long-term impact could be devastating for the rights of ordinary Malaysians.
   
   
4. Business Disruptions:
   
   Malaysian businesses, particularly those reliant on secure internet access and global DNS services, stand to suffer from DNS redirection.
   
   If companies can’t trust the integrity and security of the internet in Malaysia, they may be forced to look elsewhere, driving away investments and weakening the country’s position in the global marketplace.

Countries that have pursued broad internet restrictions, such as China and Russia, have seen negative impacts on their democratic standards and the personal freedom of their citizens.

According to Freedom House’s 2020 Freedom on the Net report, over 65% of the global population now lives under regimes that censor the internet, often leading to increased surveillance, decreased innovation, and a diminished quality of life.

Even if the government should respond by saying that banning internet usage is necessary to stem usage of certain websites and that Malaysians shouldn't use them anyway, the Malaysian government's push for DNS redirection is an avoidance of the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)'s fundamental duty.

Their role should focus on educating Malaysians to use the internet responsibly, ensuring no breeding ground for extremism, instead of imposing a sweeping ban that has the potential to cripple the Malaysian capacity for critical thought in the long run.

Instead of imposing restrictions, we urge the government to focus on educating the public about responsible internet use. Empower Malaysians to recognize and avoid harmful content themselves, fostering a culture of accountability rather than reliance on censorship.

We therefore call on the Malaysian government, Suruhanjaya Komunikasi Multimedia Malaysia (MCMC), and the Malaysian Ministry of Communications, notably both Minister of Communications YB Fahmi Fadzil and Deputy Minister of Communications YB Teo Nie Ching to reconsider the DNS redirection policy and instead invest in public education campaigns that encourage safe and informed internet use. Join us in defending our right to a free and open internet.

We call on MCMC to take the following actions:

1. Halt the DNS Redirection Policy:
   
   Please stop the DNS Redirection policy immediately.
   
   Take action to retract all your directives to ISPs to make them redirect requests to local servers, and issue a statement indicating that you will not be doing this, bearing in mind that there are numerous examples of public discontent that indicate that this is a bad move. 
   
   
   
2. Protect an Open, Uncensored Internet:
   
   It's essential that the internet remains a space where information is freely accessible and diverse perspectives can thrive.
   
   Students and lifelong learners, in particular, rely on uncensored access to global knowledge. Preserving this openness ensures that education remains inclusive and empowers individuals to engage critically with a wide range of ideas.
   
   
3. Prioritize User Privacy and Security:
   
   The privacy and security of internet users, including students and educators, must be prioritized. 
   
   DNS Redirection, as such, is not the answer. We urge MCMC to reject policies that expose users to heightened risks and instead invest in measures that enhance online safety. Secure, uncensored access to information is critical to fostering innovation and a robust educational environment.
   
   
4. Educate:
   
   The thinking behind the DNS Redirect is not completely unfounded.
   
   Please consider taking an active role to launch public education campaigns to raise awareness about internet privacy, freedom of information, and cybersecurity to assist the MCMC in shaping a Rakyat that is educated and informed about responsible internet use and can escape scam websites and fraud alike.
   
   

   Consider having a transparent public consultation process that invites diverse voices, including educators, to explore safer and more equitable methods of protecting users online. 

   By engaging educational institutions and the public, we can foster a deeper understanding of digital safety without compromising the openness of the internet, and create a more robust civil society that will be a strength for future generations of Malaysia, rather than a weak population that cannot rely upon itself and must be coddled through life by the Government. 

   Malaysia can do much better, and MCMC can play a crucial role, and your efforts will promote a well-informed public that can advocate for, deserve, and defend an open and secure internet ecosystem that is robust against political changes without opening up the possibility of abuse by future administrations.

Thank you for reading to this point.

If any of these points resonated with you, please share this petition with your friends, and let's make sure the government of the day receives this message!

V.