August 15, 2005
Malaysia to stop anonymous use of mobiles
Follows fears about the use of unregistered phones by members of violent militant groups to communicate with one another or to trigger explosions, the Malaysian government is to put a stop to the anonymous use of mobiles, reports BBC News.
"It's getting very dangerous. Prepaid cards pose a security threat because nowadays terrorists are using cell phones to detonate bombs," said Communications minister Lim Keng Yaik.
The authorities here are also concerned about a number of instances where wild and unfounded rumours have been spread by text message.
In 2002 villagers in Borneo fled their homes after SMS claimed that head-hunters were roaming the area. In January 2005, less than a month after the tsunami disaster, thousands of people fled their homes around Semporna after text messages warned of another killer wave.
Police believe the rumours were started by thieves who wanted to steal into empty villages.
From the end of the year, new users of prepaid services will have to show identity cards or passports when they buy a new sim card. Existing users will have to register when their credit runs out and they have to buy more.
With 14 million mobile users using prepaid services, it promises to be a major task. It will not be helped by the transient status of some phone users. Many just live in shacks in the jungle near to factories or on building sites. Nor does the Malaysian government have the best record in enforcing its numerous laws and directives.
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