KUALA LUMPUR: The Energy, Communications and Multimedia Ministry said it is in the final stages of drafting the "Internet Content Code.''

The code will serve as a guide for users and operators when putting information on the Internet, said Energy, Communications and Multimedia Deputy Minister Datuk Tan Chai Ho.

The Malaysian Government has constantly stressed that it will not censor information on the Internet, but has also expressed its concern about "undesirable'' parties using it to disseminate false or misleading information.

The Government's no-censorship stance does not necessarily "allow anyone to just put anything on the Net,'' Tan said Friday at aranium.com's official launch of its WAP (Wireless Applications Protocol) services.

In an interview with asiadragons.com earlier this week, Tan said that the Content Code would not be mandatory, and would just serve as a reference guide. He added that the Government had no authority in monitoring or limiting Internet content.

The Code is expected to be announced soon, after which it would be submitted to Parliament for approval, but Tan declined to reveal a definite date to reporters at the aranium.com launch.

The ministry is still waiting for more feedback from the industry on whether they would agree to adhere to the Content Code, he said.

He also stressed that adherence to the Content Code would not be imposed on companies applying for any licence with his ministry.

"Enforcement to oversee content on the Internet is not so easy,'' he said.

However, he pointed out that under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, anyone charged with disseminating false information or distributing pornography is liable to a maximum fine of RM50,000 or one-year imprisonment, or both.