SOCIAL network Facebook should extend its ban on Cambridge Analytica (CA) to all its affiliates in Malaysia until key questions about potential illegal activities can be investigated and resolved, said PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar today.

She said it was critical to prevent those who would use illegal means to interfere or get involved in social media campaigns leveraging Facebook platforms in Malaysia.

“The issue at hand is not the legitimate use of social media and strategy consultants for political campaigning but the illegal, unethical or manipulative activities that may have been used to achieve their goals for clients worldwide. Also, questions have been raised regarding the use of public funds in Malaysia to pay for CA’s activities in the political interest of the ruling party,” she said in a press conference today.

She said if such allegations were found to be true, it would further erode public trust in the Barisan Nasional government and raise suspicions that it might have won previous general elections through unlawful manipulative tactics.

“It’s the same government that will legislate an anti-fake news law after it was approved by the cabinet for tabling in Parliament yesterday.

She questioned the government’s motives for bulldozing the law through, now that it has been tainted by the allegation that it could have benefited through the illegal practices of CA.

CA Political Global managing director Mark Turnbull had revealed to an undercover Channel 4 reporter that the firm did work in Malaysia.

On its website, CA says it “supported BN in Kedah state with a targeted messaging campaign highlighting their school improvements since 2008”.

BN took back Kedah from the opposition in GE13, winning 21 out of 36 state seats, and 10 out of 15 parliamentary seats.

Nurul Izzah said the law against fake news was BN’s desperate attempt to cover up its misdeeds and electoral shenanigans.

Deputy Communication and Multimedia Minister Jailani Johari yesterday declared that all news of 1Malaysia Development Bhd not authorised by the government was fake news.

He said the case of the state investment fund was under investigation by the police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers, while investigative reports were tabled to the National Accounts Committee (PAC) made up of  government and opposition representatives.

“The proceedings have been done transparently. The Hansard can be read on the Parliament website. The PAC report has also been published and is readable on the same site, PAC’s proposals have been fully accepted and fully implemented by the government. The rationalisation process has also been well implemented.

“In view of this, the government is of the stand that other than information which is confirmed by the authorities as mentioned, any information other than that will be acknowledged as false information,” he said when winding up the debate on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s speech for his ministry at the Dewan Rakyat sitting.

Nurul Izzah said a bipartisan parliamentary committee should be set up to inquire into BN’s conduct in the last general election.

“The truth of these allegations deserves independent investigation and discovery in the interest of our democracy and to prevent further loss of confidence of Malaysian citizens in the legitimacy of the 14th general election,” she said. – March 22, 2018.