SELANGOR 23 May (MIC) --Cybercafes in Selangor will automatically shut down at midnight under a new “uniformed” software to be introduced by the state government.
State local government committee chairman Ronnie Liu said the system would be introduced under a new guideline known as Healthy Cybercafe 2012.
Liu said cybercafe operators would be required to obtain the software.
“With the software, customers will have to sign in electronically every time they log in to a computer at the cybercafe.
“They will also be required to sign in with their Mykad.
“Children under 12 years will have to sign in with their MyKid and their PCs will automatically shut down by 10pm.
“This is to ensure that children who are not accompanied by their parents do not hang around the premises late into the night,” he said.
In doing so, Liu said the cybercafes would be able to compile their customers’ particulars and this would be useful should the authorities need the information.
“The practice will serve as a deterrent to prevent criminals from using cybercafes as a base for illegal activities,” he said.
Liu said the guidelines were passed by the state executive council recently would be implemented next month.
He said the Healthy Cybercafe guidelines would be sent to all the 12 local authorities in Selangor.
“All existing cybercafes will be given one year to comply with the various rules and regulations stipulated in the guidelines,” he said.
With the new development, Liu said the freeze on the issuance of new cybercafe licences which was imposed in 2006, would be lifted.
Following a thorough study that was conducted over a period of one year, Liu said the ban on cybercafes had led to the mushrooming of illegal cybercafes in the state.
“This goes to show that the ban on cybercafes is not a solution and gave us no alternative but to allow applications for new licences.
“However, those who wish to operate cybercafes will have to adhere to the new rules stipulated in the guidelines,” he said.
Besides the introduction of the standard software in the guideline, Liu said operators were also required comply with the appearance of the premises.
Among others, he said the operators were required to offer open premises and without partitions.
“The premises of the cybercafe must be visible from its entrance and without nooks and corners so that nothing is hidden.
“This is to prevent the cybercafes from being used for other activities including online gambling,” he said, adding that the premises must also be brightly lit.
Liu said cycbercafes would be required to house a minimum of 40 computers for those located under the indication of a municipality and not less than 20 computers for those under the local councils.
He said closing hours for the cybercafes remained at midnight.
However, Liu said the local authorities were allowed to extend the closing time by an hour in areas that were frequented by tourists.
He said foreigners visiting cybercafes would be required to produce their travel documents.
“We do not encourage the premises to be open until late at night unless there was a serious need to cater to tourists,” he said.
--MIC
source http://www.mic.org.my/news-events/national-news/2012/new-guideline-cybercafes-selangor
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