PAS called Rais Yatim’s allegation of a link between the recent cyber-attack on government websites and the upcoming Bersih 2.0 rally slanderous and irresponsible, challenging the minister to back his claims with proof.

rais yatim pc 070809 03“The Information Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim (right) should provide proof for his slanderous statement,” said PAS Youth information chief Riduan Mohd Nor.

“PAS Youth regrets Rais’ irresponsible attitude and abuse of his position as a minister in spreading slander based on purely on assumptions,” said Riduan.

“It is disgraceful and extremely unprofessional when a minister behaves in this manner.”

Riduan suggested the organisers of the rally, the coalition of NGOs and individuals for free and fair elections, Bersih 2.0, to lodge a police report against Rais.

The minister today told the media that he believed this week’s cyber-attacks on 198 official government websites were linked to the upcoming mega rally in Kuala Lumpur on July 9.

The rally, that plans to attract tens of thousands to take to the streets to demand reforms in the electoral system after numerous complaints over the past years’ by-elections and the Sarawak election, has drawn the ire of the ruling party and its supporting NGOs.

‘Ministry should get act together’

“PAS Youth advises the government to carry out a detailed investigation on the cyber-attack and present its findings to the public.

NONE“A government that spends billions of ringgit of the people’s money to set up facilities for cyber-security should be answerable to the public as to why it is so easy for their websites to be attacked, inconveniencing the public,” said Riduan.

He said the government should best concentrate its efforts on improving the web security of its own websites instead of inhibiting the people’s freedom of speech in the alternative media.

Last week, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) under Rais’ ministry made an unprecedented and surprise move to block 10 popular file-sharing websites, contradicting the BN government’s earlier claims that it would not censor the internet.

Wan Azizah: Avoid confrontation

Meanwhile, PKR president Wan Azizah Ismail said the “antagonism shown by authorities towards the peaceful Bersih rally” was alarming and called for a more “open” attitude from the ruling party.

“Strong statements bordering on threats made by the highest echelon of the Home Ministry speak volumes of Barisan Nasional’s zero tolerance policy towards freedom of speech and the right to assemble,” she said in a statement today.

NONE“Our society does not need further provocative statements and threats issued at Bersih rally organisers and participants,” said Wan Azizah, adding that opponents of the rally should be “more mature” to respect the rights of the Bersih participants to voice their views.

She argued that the same right had been exercised “over and over again by these few Umno-linked groups previously”.

Following fierce right wing opposition to the rally, Wan Azizah warned, “It is incumbent upon the organiser and participants of the rally to avoid any confrontation and not to be tricked by any provocation attempts to create chaos.”

The PKR chief advised the organisers to take into account measures to “quickly reduce tensions if there is a provocation” and to equip all participants of the mammoth rally with adequate knowledge on crowd control and safety precautions.

“On the part of the authorities, we continue to hope that they will reciprocate the organiser’s offer to work together to ensure a smooth and peaceful rally,” said Wan Azizah.

She urged the police to ensure the safety of the participants and act “professionally” against any attempts to provoke chaos.