While Malaysia warns population away from Internet

By Joe Fay

The evils of decadent Western technology have been
highlighted by a brace of enlightened regimes, just days after China
warned only compliant firms need bother trying to operate on its cyber
turf.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has railed against the Sony PlayStation in his latest missive to the people

He said violent games were designed to seed the market for later
weapons sales by capitalist countries. Not to mention cigarettes, drugs
and alcohol.

Having slammed the main leisure activities of the decadent West, he outlined his vision for entertainment.

He called for Venezuelan manufacturers to make "little indigenous
dolls" as an alternative to "Barbie, that have nothing to do with our
culture."

Chavez followed up this diatribe against Western Capitalism by
declaring he would nationalise a French-owned supermarket chain in the
country.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's information and communications minister has
told the country's citizens they should be wary of the internet,
because it had been developed by Westerners. Rais Yatim said Muslims,
and other religious groups, should be careful about getting carried
away by Facebook or Twitter.

"We are not saying they cannot use Facebook or Twitter, but when
using such facilities, they must upkeep the values taught by Islam,
Buddhism or Christianity to maintain our culture," AFP reports him
telling the New Sunday Times newspaper.

But, if people do forget their values, the state will happily remind
them. Malaysia, a constitutional monarchy which is essentially
dominated by a coalition of partners, is currently developing a country
level net filter to block unwanted web sites.