Webhosting company Tripod.com today denied it has purposely done away with some websites that have been hosted on its servers last weekend.

According to IT news website Cnet News.com, the company's computer system constantly removes websites that violate rules of service but "unfortunately, many other websites that were not violating the agreement were swept away as well."

"These members were not removed on purpose," said Tripod spokesperson Dorianne Almann. "I'm guessing it was a software hiccup."

While the report stated that a few other websites outside Malaysia - alleged to have violated the rules - had disappeared over the weekend, it did not state the disappearance of more than 20 local pro-reformasi and opposition websites.

At press time, five websites affected by the glitch are back in operation. They are Komentar, Pemantau, Mahafiraun, Tranung Kite and Minda Rakyat. The other websites are still inaccessible.

Malaysiakini has also received e-mails from readers explaining that the problem is a technical one as they have experienced similar glitches over the last few years.

However, the Tripod.com spokesperson could not identify the number of websites which have been wiped out accidentally by the company. Nevertheless, Almann added that the problem will be rectified within 24 to 48 hours' time.

Mimos not involved

Meanwhile, Berita Harian today reported that local Internet service provider Mimos Bhd had denied that it had barred the pro-reformasi websites.

National news agency Bernama also reported that Umno Youth had praised Tripod for removing the reformasi websites.

Umno Youth assistant secretary Zulkifli Alwi said that Tripod had acted firmly and responsibly in curbing abuses in the use of the Internet.

He said the action confirmed that the websites concerned had abused the company's facilities to churn out falsehoods and lies.

"We urge other webhosting companies to be responsible like Tripod.com," he said.

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