KUALA TERENGGANU: The Government will introduce a code of ethics for Internet users by the end of this year to check Internet abuse, Deputy Energy, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Chan Kong Choy said. He said the code would, however, only serve as a guide on the do's and don'ts when using the Internet and violators would not be penalised.

He said it would be distributed through the Internet, the mass media and schools and serve as a reference for the public.

"We hope the code of ethics, when introduced, will help check the use of the Internet to spread lies, rumours and slanderous reports," he said.

Chan said the Communications and Multimedia Commission which was set up in April would hold a forum soon to discuss the formulation of the code.

"The forum will also be attended by telecommunications and multimedia practitioners and experts in information technology," he told reporters after meeting with the state MCA liaison committee here on Friday.

Once the code had been outlined, it would be forwarded to his ministry for approval, he said.

On the implementation of the new cyber laws which were introduced last year, Chan said no case had been tried to date.

While there were four cases of abusing the Internet, these had been referred under the Penal Code.