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.