The Malaysian Department of Information’s website was hacked into recently, publicizing a false statement that announces the resignation of the Prime Minister Najib Razak.
In a press statement, Ibrahim Abdul Rahman, director-general of the department said that the breach was discovered in the morning after several social media sites reported it.
He also stated that the e-Akhbar and e-Press systems were hacked into to issue two statements: one about the resignation and the other about applications for Malaysian citizenship.
“The Information Department acted immediately to remove the false statements from both system,” he said. “This is to prevent the dissemination of these statements by irresponsible parties and to avoid confusing the public”.
In the false resignation notice, an apology to a host of opposition leaders was included by the supposed prime minister for his “transgressions” against them.
An internal investigation into the matter is being conducted and a police report would be lodged soon. According the Computer Crimes Act 1997, a person found guilty of unauthorized access with intent to commit or facilitate commission of further offense is liable to a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment not exceeding five years or both. (Source)
