Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia announced Thursday it would lift a block on a popular news website that often carries anti-government articles, following criticism of cyberspace censorship.

Last month, the government ordered all local internet service providers to block the hugely-popular Malaysia Today website, saying its articles contained slanderous and defamatory remarks.

The move sparked criticism by bloggers, opposition members and rights groups who accused the government of cracking down on dissenting views on the internet.

On Thursday, Minister of Energy, Water and Communications Shaziman Abu Mansor said the order to restrict access to all websites or blogs would be withdrawn with immediate effect, the official Bernama news agency said.

He said the decision was made during the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, but declined to give the reasons for the move.

Malaysia Today is run by Raja Petra Kamarudin, who was charged with sedition in May for allegedly implying that Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak was involved in the gruesome murder of a Mongolian woman.

Raja Petra has in the past been accused by the government of spreading lies and false rumours in his often sensational articles. (dpa)