Drawing up a code of ethics for users

Internet Web sites attacking the Malaysian government may have been funded by foreign "elements" to tarnish the country, a junior minister was quoted as saying in Malaysia_s New Sunday Times. Web sites supporting jailed former minister Anwar Ibrahim have mushroomed since his sacking in September sparked an unprecedented political crisis. Deputy Energy, Communications and Multimedia Minister Chan Kong Choy, said the government was drawing up a code of ethics for Internet users. "Surprisingly, many are still ignorant or lack understanding on this matter (ethics) and the most common abuse by many Internet users is to disseminate malicious lies and rumors to the public," Chan was quoted as saying. Malaysia has about 500,000 Internet users and the number is expected to double to one million by end-2000. Former deputy premier and finance minister Anwar was convicted in April on four corruption counts and jailed for six years. Malaysia often blames foreigners for problems affecting the country. Mahathir and his ministers repeatedly blamed foreign speculators for a regional currency crisis which began in 1997. At the peak of a viral epidemic in Malaysia spread by pigs which killed dozens of pig farmers earlier this year, two ministers suggested that foreign "elements" might be involved in efforts to sabotage the economy.