March 24, 2004
SMS rumour-mongers face arrest in Malaysia
Text messaging has been totally involved in every aspect of the political process during these last elections in Malaysia; parties reaching out to woo voters, misleading people with false rumors and now that the elections are over, messages of condolences are being sent out to the losing party and requests by SMS are being sent solliciting positions in the new cabinet. The biggest winner? probably the telcos.
The latest from news sources gathered online:
-- From Borneo Online. The police chief in a Malaysian state threatened Tuesday to arrest people who spread rumours via their mobile phone short message service and charge them with sedition or threatening national security.
"Minor scuffles broke out between police and opposition supporters in northern Terengganu state on Monday night after crowds gathered outside two buildings following rumours that pro-government "phantom" voters in Sunday's national elections were being brought there, local media reported".
-- From The New Straits Times. Forty eight hours after conceding defeat to Barisan Nasional, Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang last night appeared before 10,000 supporters at Masjid Rusila to appeal for calm and accept the defeat.
Hadi urged the supporters not to believe rumours spread through short message service (SMS) and called on them to respect democratic process.
-- From e-media Since Sunday, Kerk said he had been swamped with SMS and e-mail offering condolences for his loss.
-- From e-media Aides to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his close friends have been inundated with SMS and calls to their mobile phones from politicians who want to be considered for Cabinet positions.
-- From Business Times Shares of telecommunications benefitted from the general election following a surge in their short messaging service business. "Apart from being another avenue for the rumour mill, political parties have adopted this SMS technology for faster and more personalised campaigning. “It is also a brilliant way to win the hearts of the more tech-savvy young and first-time voters".
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