DAP leader Karpal Singh called on the police and the Attorney General's Chambers to investigate and take action against those who posted a 'sexy advertisement' of salesperson Cindy Liong on the Internet.

Karpal said the offence committed with the use of the Internet was serious, and that Liong was entitled to be protected by law.

"Her case will be a test case and a precedent of very far reaching consequences and significance," said Karpal, who is the DAP national deputy chairman.

Karpal, who is also a senior lawyer, said the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 provides penalties for improper use of the Internet.

He said that under this Act a person found guilty of committing a crime using the Internet could be fined up to RM50,000 or face a maximum sentence of one year imprisonment.

He said if the offence continued even after the offender is found guilty, then the offender could also face a fine of RM1,000 for every day during which the offence was continued.

He said that Liong has seen him regarding the matter and has lodged a report over the advertisement. Karpal added that her statement was recorded by the police yesterday.

Sexual favours

He said that those responsible for the pain and agony caused to Liong should not be spared. "Internet abuse can have devastating consequences," he said.

On Saturday, Liong, a mother of two, sought help from the MCA public services and complaints bureau to take action against those responsible for posting her personal details on a friendship website without her permission.

She said that she has been receiving telephone calls from strangers asking for sexual favours based on "Cindysexy's portfolio" found on the website.

Liong added that she has identified the persons who are responsible and has lodged a police report against them.

According to bureau's chief Michael Chong, there are no laws to govern Internet abuse, resulting in many people falling prey to such mischief.

Treat Anwar properly

In an unrelated matter, Karpal also pointed out that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the government should be serious in dealing with jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim's ill-health.

"A prisoner does not lose his residual right to proper medical treatment if the facilities in the country are inadequate," he said.

"The question of Anwar not returning after medical treatment overseas does not arise. He has not at any time requested to be allowed to go abroad for medical treatment."

Karpal said it was Anwar's consultant specialist Dr Thomas Hoogland who had suggested treatment be sought in Germany as the facilities here were not conducive for an endoscopic surgery.

Jaundiced view

He added that Mahathir's statement yesterday that Anwar should not be allowed to go overseas for treatment because he may not come back to serve his jail sentence was unwarranted and unfair.

Mahathir was quoted by The Star today as saying that "Anwar's reason to seek treatment overseas was to enable him to escape his jail sentence".

Anwar is serving a total of 15 years after being convicted in separate trials for abuse of power and sodomy and is undergoing treatment for his chronic back pain at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital since November. He was examined by Dr Hoogland early this month who recommended that Anwar undergoes surgery in Germany.

Mahathir also said that the government was very lenient with Anwar and had accorded him various privileges not given to other prisoners.

But Karpal urged the government not to have a jaundiced view of Anwar's predicament.