Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin conceded today that the government and his ministry had fallen short in cyberspace, including in efforts to counter electoral reform group Bersih 2.0's online campaign.
"I think we cannot ignore the fact that we are very weak, in the sense that we have no representation in cyberspace.
"In the real world, campaigning starts after an election is announced, but in cyberspace, everyday is campaign day," Khaled said.
He said this in response to a question on students not getting accurate information, especially on the July 9 rally organised by Bersih 2.0 in Kuala Lumpur.
Speaking to the media after launching the Setiawangsa METrO Polytechnique, Khaled attributed the lack of support for the government from certain quarters to their preference for the online media.
"There are many good things that the government has done, but maybe it is because of the failure to have strong representation in cyberspace, especially when the rakyat don't read the media out there but get information from cyberspace," he added.
Prior the rally, which saw tens of thousands of people descend on the city centre, Bersih organised a vigorousonline campaignto promote the event.
On July 9, similar protests were also organised in the United States, Australia, Egypt and several other countries, by mostly Malaysians pursuing their studies in those countries.
National news agency Bernama reported on July 19 that 21 students had been arrested by the police for participating in the electoral reform rally and that their fate would be determined by their respective institutions.
Khaled said he was yet to be informed about the punishment that would be meted out to the students concerned. - Malaysiakini
"I think we cannot ignore the fact that we are very weak, in the sense that we have no representation in cyberspace."In the real world, campaigning starts after an election is announced, but in cyberspace, everyday is campaign day," Khaled said.
He said this in response to a question on students not getting accurate information, especially on the July 9 rally organised by Bersih 2.0 in Kuala Lumpur.
Speaking to the media after launching the Setiawangsa METrO Polytechnique, Khaled attributed the lack of support for the government from certain quarters to their preference for the online media.
"There are many good things that the government has done, but maybe it is because of the failure to have strong representation in cyberspace, especially when the rakyat don't read the media out there but get information from cyberspace," he added.
Prior the rally, which saw tens of thousands of people descend on the city centre, Bersih organised a vigorousonline campaignto promote the event.On July 9, similar protests were also organised in the United States, Australia, Egypt and several other countries, by mostly Malaysians pursuing their studies in those countries.
National news agency Bernama reported on July 19 that 21 students had been arrested by the police for participating in the electoral reform rally and that their fate would be determined by their respective institutions.
Khaled said he was yet to be informed about the punishment that would be meted out to the students concerned. - Malaysiakini
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