Opposition cyber troopers getting foreign training, says DPM

Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the risk assessment recommended that countries should actively target the small sub-set of NPOs most vulnerable to terrorism financing

KOTA KINABALU: Opposition cybertroopers are getting foreign training and their slick propaganda against Barisan Nasional has gained traction with some voters, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).

The Deputy Prime Minister said Barisan was tried and convicted in the court of public opinion in the last general election because of these cybertroopers who used social media to sway voters.

"They came at us with repeated attacks, the same story line that shaped public perception that was negative about Barisan," Dr Ahmad Zahid said when launching the Sabah Umno social media convention here on Saturday, adding that these opposition cyber troopers had received training in Taiwan and other countries.

He said among the lies spread by opposition cybertroopers in the last election was the "importation" of 40,000 Bangladeshi nationals using 100 Boeing 747 aircraft to vote.

"We know this was a complete fabrication but some people believed it," Dr Ahmad Zahid said, adding that the opposition would likely repeat these tactics in the coming polls.

"We have to be on the lookout for sudden or last minute attacks," he added.