Closed-down Malaysian web sites reappear

In this story: Goverment involvement suspected Software hiccup RELATED STORIES, SITES

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- A computer error is responsible for the reappearance of Malaysian anti-government web sites previously shut down, their US-based host said.

Tripod, owned by Lycos Inc., said a computer glitch allowed three anti-government sites back on-line Tuesday following their closure three days ago.

A dozen Malaysian sites were closed down and replaced with signs saying they were deleted for having violated the terms and conditions of using the free service set by the host.

Tripod's list of prohibitions includes posting content that promotes illegal activity or instructions for illegal activity.

The mostly Malay language sites are all operated by political parties or groups that oppose Malaysia's present administration.

Goverment involvement suspected

Although Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has consistently promised not to censor the Internet, the sudden disappearance of the sites on Saturday sparked fears among the opposition that the government was somehow involved.

Malaysia's opposition or 'reformasi' movement, which champions the cause of Mahathir's jailed rival Anwar Ibrahim, has relied on the Internet to spread information and publicise demonstrations.

Anwar is serving 15 years in jail on sex and graft convictions he says were concocted to stop his challenge to Mahathir. The prime minister says Anwar is immoral and unfit to rule.

Earlier this month, police seized the computer of one opposition site editor campaigning for Anwar's freedom, forcing him to shift operations outside the country.

Software hiccup

Aside from allowing previously closed-down sites to resume operations, the computer error has also accidentally removed other "harmless" sites along with the "damaging" ones.

The youth wing of a party led by Anwar's wife said Tuesday that the host had made a mistake by removing the sites.

"I hope that by the end of the day they will install all the sites," Parti Keadilan Nasional youth wing secretary Lokman Noor said.

Visitors to sites including that of Keadilan Youth still found the notice: "Sorry, but the page or file you're looking for is not here."

Refering to the sites which were removed in error, a Tripod spokesman in the U.S. explained on Monday that many sites not in breach of regulations disappeared when the company's computers swept the system for users that violated its rules.

"These members were not removed on purpose," said Dorianne Almann, quoted on Internet news site CNET News.com.

"I'm guessing it was a software hiccup."

Reuters contributed to this report.

Malaysian government bars online paper
February 6, 2001
Lawyers: Suits stifle Malaysian media
March 16, 2001

Anwar Online Original
Malaysia Government
Anwar Ibrahim - Reformasi!
Malaysia - Chronology of the Case Against Anwar Ibrahim

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