update The Malaysian government now claims it had no plans to censor Internet content in the country.
Its prime minister, Najib Razak, reportedly told the media Malaysia never intended to install filters to block content.
He was quoted by The Straits Times, saying: "Up till now, there is no change in the government's Internet policy."
This follows a statement made by information minister, Rais Yatim earlier in the day, who said the government has canceled its plans to censor Web content.
According to press reports, Yatim confirmed Malaysia will not install filters to block "undesirable content", a move first announced last week.
Yatim had said at the time, the filters were intended to screen pornographic material from being accessed in the country.
Malaysia now plans to use existing laws to prevent Internet abuse instead, he said, adding that the government still plans to heighten the search for "instances of sedition, fraud and child pornography", and will take those to the relevant law enforcement agencies.
This announcement follows news reports of Malaysia's cancellation of a tender for an Internet filter system. Rais said he was unaware of the tender's existence.
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