'Bogus' Twitter account sending 'racist' msgs in Vellu's name

Vellu to report the matter to Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission

PTI | December 10, 2010



Just days after stepping down as President of Malaysia's largest ethnic Indian party, veteran politician Samy Vellu has found himself attacked in the cyberworld.

A bogus Twitter account user has been sending "racist and derogatory" messages and falsely attributing them to the 74-year-old Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) stalwart under a Twitter account using the name "ybsamyvellu".

Unknown to Vellu, the messages were sent over the past two months but the former MIC leader, who stepped down only three days ago, discovered them today.

"The person disguising (impersonating) as me has been sending out messages that were racist and derogatory. Many people called and asked me if I have a Twitter account...

(I) have nothing to do (with) this Twitter," Vellu said.

He said he would be lodging a report with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) over the matter.

The former Works Minister, who lost in the 2008 general election, said he hoped the MCMC would reveal the identity of the people behind the attempt to smear his name and take them to court.

A check of the Twitter account of "ybsamyvellu" showed that it had 559 followers, while comments were mainly against the ruling coalition of Barisan Nasional, state-run news agency Bernama reported.

Vellu was appointed MIC acting President following the death of his predecessor Tan Sri V Manickavasagam on September 13, 1979. He quit as party president on Monday after three decades at the helm.

His deputy G Palanivel has taken over the reins of the Barisan component party.

 

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