KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein called on all citizens to not become victims of what he called “Internet rumors” in light of the recent deportation of an Australian Senator and other issues that have galvanized the country's online community. Opposition leaders tell Bikyanews.com that this is part of the government's efforts to marginalize their efforts to compete in the upcoming election by attempting to convince those online against honest opposition to the Barisan Nasional's policies. The minister said there was too much speculation over the issue of Australian Senator Nick Xenophon and that most were “baseless.” “We do not want to sensationalize the issue as it could jeopardize our operations,” Hishammuddin said on Monday. “This is something everyone should understand, so avoid politicizing it and avoid using it to scare people because that is not the situation. We have been on top of it from the beginning.” He was commenting on that rumor and others being spread on social media networks claiming the group had left Lahad Datu and infiltrated the capital here. The group of about 100-odd men claiming to be from the Sulu sultanate, caused a stir when they arrived in Lahad Datu early last week to stake their claim on a piece of Sabah they claimed belonged to their ancestors. They also wanted assurances that they would not be deported. Hishammuddin was briefed by Sabah police commissioner Hamza Taib at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) before the home minister left for Lahad Datu. With negotiations over, the government is finalizing the deportation process for the group holed up in Kampung Tanduo. BN
