M'sia threatens hackers with ISA

M'sia threatens hackers with ISA

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Authorities may use a controversial law
that allows for indefinite detention without trial against
Malaysians who hack into government-owned websites.

Deputy home minister Zainal Abidin Zin said the government
might use the Internal Security Act to deter hackers from
jeopardizing public interest, the national news agency Bernama
reported late on Saturday.

The 40-year-old law is often used against political
dissidents. Opposition leaders say it has become a convenient
tool for the state to suppress dissent and debate.

The government has pledged to step up the defense of its
websites after a hacker last week breached the parliament's
homepage.

The hacker, who identified himself as "Topeira," wiped out the
entire website and left behind two lines of garble. It was the
worst attack so far on a Malaysia government website. Experts say
that about 50 of Malaysia's 700 government-owned websites have
been broken into in recent years.