Kuala Lumpur, Sun. - The Government should reconsider its decision requiring all cybercafes to register their customers as this will hamper its efforts to develop an IT-literate society, National Information Technology Council member Datuk Lee Lam Thye said today.

Lee said he supported the Governments efforts to ensure that cybercafes were not misused to spread rumours detrimental to the country as well as to prevent the downloading of negative materials.

However, said Lee in a statement today, he doubted that requiring cybercafes to keep records of its customers was the best solution. It could prove counter-productive.

Furthermore, he said the problem was not only confined to cybercafes. The majority of the users were law abiding and fully aware of the consequences of any breach of law.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Ting Chew Peh, when announcing the new ruling which came into force early this month, said it was to check irresponsible elements from indulging in cyber rumour-mongering.

Dr. Ting said the ministry had received complaints that cybercafes were being misused to spread seditious and defamatory allegations against individuals and the Government.

Lee said downloading of pornographic materials could be prevented if the operators installed software to block sites with such materials.

He said the Government could instead subject cybercafe operators to comply with certain rules and regulations such as preventing other forms of entertainment like video games and snooker on the same premises.

All cybercafes must have a licence, be closely monitored by local authorities and not be allowed to operate past midnight, said Lee. - Bernama