PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA - All 21 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the country have been ordered by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to block the controversial Malaysia Today website, an industry source revealed.

The notices were sent out on Tuesday in accordance with Section 263 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.

"This means that MCMC is allowed to block any particular website which has committed acts that contravene the local laws of the country, for example, sedition," the source said.

Meanwhile, Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin lashed out against the blocking of the online portal, saying it was a breach of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) charter.

Under the MSC Malaysia 10-Point Bill of Guarantees, it is stated that as part of its commitment to ensuring the success of MSC Status companies, the Government promised to "ensure no Internet censorship".

"The Government has clearly broken its own promise," said Raja Petra yesterday. Asked whether he was notified of the reasons of the blocking, he answered no.

"I will turn this into a big issue, no doubt. When it is known that the Government has violated the charter, MSC will die. I will personally see to it," he said.

TMnet, the country's biggest ISP, Maxis and Time refused to comment.

However, at 11.30pm, a check by The Star found that Malaysia Today has launched a mirror site which can be easily accessed.