DPM: Gov't views cyber-attacks seriously
Published: Jun 16, 2011 9:36 AM | Updated: Jun 16, 2011 2:06 PM
Attacks by hackers on several official government websites will have a significant effect on the information, communication and technology (ICT) system for the people, said Deputy Prime
Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
Attacks by hackers on several official government websites will have a significant effect on the information, communication and technology (ICT) system for the people, said Deputy Prime
Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said the government took a serious view on the attacks and was awaiting a report from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on the matter.
“We will wait for the report on how the matter is to be tackled and hope that such action will not continue. We must pay attention and the responsible party, the MCMC, is now monitoring the matter,” he told reporters after launching the Asean Dengue Day 2011 celebrations and Communication for Behavioural Impact (COMBI) at the national level in Kuala Lumpur today.
He disclosed this when asked to comment on several websites in the country that had been hacked by a group called ‘Anonymous’, who claimed to be based abroad, and threatening the government’s official portal, www.malaysia.gov.my.
The group took such action as they claimed that Malaysia blocked human rights by imposing obstacles not only on the Internet but also on film and television broadcasts.
Muhyiddin said the government gave its assurance that its policy of not vetting the internet would continue to be implemented.
“But if there are anyone abusing or violating several provisions in the country’s law, then the MCMC has the right and power to take appropriate action.
“This should not be seen as blocking the people’s freedom to obtain services through the Internet. We monitor whether there are elements that can have adverse impacts on national security,” he said.
Meanwhile, commenting on the allegation by several parties that the Tourism Ministry wasted RM1.8 million in creating the social network Facebook to promote national tourism, Muhyiddin said the cabinet would get a full report from the minister concerned, Dr Ng Yen Yen, tomorrow.
“I don’t have detailed information whether the amount stipulated was reasonable or otherwise. It had been raised in Parliament and clarified.
“Probably tomorrow the cabinet will get the report from the minister and she can explain the rationale,” he said.
Masidi disappointed at hacking of tourism website
Meanwhile in PENAMPANG, Sabah, state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Masidi Manjun expressed his disappointment on the hacking of the Sabah Tourism Board website, which he described as ‘childish’ and sabotaged the tourism industry.
Masidi said this was not the first time the website was hacked, as the first occurrence was about three months ago.
“I was made to understand that the hackers are Malaysians. They probably want to show that they have the ability to hack, but what do you prove in the end.
“Actually, they are sabotaging the economy of the country, because when our website or even other websites are not reachable, we are going to lose tourists, because they cannot get information from us,” he said when met at the Sekolah Lestari-Environmental Award 2009/2010 in Penampang today.
Masidi said the Sabah Tourism Board was still reachable via the social network Facebook, through the telephone and the fax line.
“We are also trying to put up a mini website with all the basic information, but our overall plan is to move to another server which is more secured,” he added.
- Bernama
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'Gov't had been warned to beef up online security'
Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said the government took a serious view on the attacks and was awaiting a report from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on the matter.
“We will wait for the report on how the matter is to be tackled and hope that such action will not continue. We must pay attention and the responsible party, the MCMC, is now monitoring the matter,” he told reporters after launching the Asean Dengue Day 2011 celebrations and Communication for Behavioural Impact (COMBI) at the national level in Kuala Lumpur today. He disclosed this when asked to comment on several websites in the country that had been hacked by a group called ‘Anonymous’, who claimed to be based abroad, and threatening the government’s official portal, www.malaysia.gov.my.
The group took such action as they claimed that Malaysia blocked human rights by imposing obstacles not only on the Internet but also on film and television broadcasts.
Muhyiddin said the government gave its assurance that its policy of not vetting the internet would continue to be implemented.“But if there are anyone abusing or violating several provisions in the country’s law, then the MCMC has the right and power to take appropriate action.
“This should not be seen as blocking the people’s freedom to obtain services through the Internet. We monitor whether there are elements that can have adverse impacts on national security,” he said.
Meanwhile, commenting on the allegation by several parties that the Tourism Ministry wasted RM1.8 million in creating the social network Facebook to promote national tourism, Muhyiddin said the cabinet would get a full report from the minister concerned, Dr Ng Yen Yen, tomorrow.
“I don’t have detailed information whether the amount stipulated was reasonable or otherwise. It had been raised in Parliament and clarified.
“Probably tomorrow the cabinet will get the report from the minister and she can explain the rationale,” he said.
Masidi disappointed at hacking of tourism website
Meanwhile in PENAMPANG, Sabah, state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Masidi Manjun expressed his disappointment on the hacking of the Sabah Tourism Board website, which he described as ‘childish’ and sabotaged the tourism industry.
Masidi said this was not the first time the website was hacked, as the first occurrence was about three months ago.
“I was made to understand that the hackers are Malaysians. They probably want to show that they have the ability to hack, but what do you prove in the end.“Actually, they are sabotaging the economy of the country, because when our website or even other websites are not reachable, we are going to lose tourists, because they cannot get information from us,” he said when met at the Sekolah Lestari-Environmental Award 2009/2010 in Penampang today.
Masidi said the Sabah Tourism Board was still reachable via the social network Facebook, through the telephone and the fax line.
“We are also trying to put up a mini website with all the basic information, but our overall plan is to move to another server which is more secured,” he added.
- Bernama
Gov't portals paralysed by Anonymous hackers group
At least 41 websites hacked, says MCMC
Tourism user data leaked after cyber-attacks
'No measure could have stopped skillful hackers'
M'sia upset with cyber-attacks, says minister
'Gov't had been warned to beef up online security'
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