IPOH: Cyber cafe operators will now be required to take down the particulars of their customers who use the computers to surf the Internet, said Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Ting Chew Peh.

He said the new ruling, which takes immediate effect, was to ensure that the facilities at the cafes were not misused to spread false information through the Internet.

"Now we want all cyber cafe operators to jot down their customers' names, IC numbers, and house addresses in a record book," Dr Ting told reporters after visiting the Simpang Pulai market yesterday.

Operators who failed to maintain the record book or did not record down the details could lose their operating licence.

Dr Ting said the new ruling came about following a request from the Home Ministry which had difficulties in locating suspects believed to have used the outlets' computers to spread false information.

"A study conducted by the police has shown that there was misuse of cyber cafes in which certain parties have spread false information through the Internet, but they could not identify the culprits as the outlets did not record the names of people who used the facilities," he said.

He said that at present cyber cafe customers need not reveal their identity when using the facilities.

He said the ministry had sent out circulars to all state secretaries earlier this month to ensure that the respective local authorities implemented the additional condition when issuing licences for use of premises to new cafe operators and also to those who have started operations.

"The police will conduct frequent spot checks at the outlets and, upon complaints from the police, the local authorities will revoke the operator's licence if found not to have the record book, or if the book did not have the required particulars.

"With this, we will be able to monitor the situation and ensure the outlets are used in a proper manner and no false information is being distributed," he added.