Jun 11, 2000 - 08:07 AM

Hackers Wreak Havoc on Malaysia's Political Websites By Sean Yoong Associated Press Writer

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Hackers have broken into dozens of Malaysian political Websites, leaving government officials and opposition leaders fuming Sunday over images of rotting skulls and obscene messages. One vandal, calling himself "Xenophoria," attacked 21 pro-government Websites, posting a list of demands for greater press freedom and an end to corruption.

"Stop government intervention in media. Justice for all," the hacker wrote.

Cyberspace has been a fierce battleground for Malaysian politics in the past year, with more than 100 anonymously run Websites fueling debate over the country's leadership and laws.

Opposition leaders rely heavily on the Internet to drum up support, because they say the tightly controlled mainstream press is biased.

The government, however, often plays down the Internet's potential impact on voters in Malaysia, where many of the country's 22 million people live in rural areas with limited Internet access.

Both sides have so far condemned the hacking, which apparently began Friday, and vow to expose the culprits.

"We don't condone such foolish conduct," said Tian Chua, vice president of the opposition National Justice Party. "These are unreasonable acts of cowardice which benefit neither the government nor the opposition."

A popular opposition Website called "Laman Reformasi," or "Reformation Site," was reported to have been attacked first.

The vandal, who identified himself as "Junior Hacker," posted several obscene pictures on the Website, in an apparent reference to jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim, who is on trial for sodomy.

Opposition loyalists retaliated by penetrating their rivals' Websites and branding supporters of the government as "fanatics."

Politics online surged shortly after Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad sacked Anwar as his deputy in September 1998, calling him an immoral homosexual.

Anwar was subsequently sentenced to six years in jail for corruption and faces another twenty years if convicted of sodomy. He claims Mahathir orchestrated a conspiracy to oust him.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGI4OV0NC9C.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), June 11, 2000