DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang has suggested that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the police investigate the funders of “cybertroopers”, such as those linked to former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, who are spreading lies and falsehood.

In a statement today, Lim said Najib has a track record of spreading falsehood and was the “father” of cybertroopers who used to demonise the opposition.

“I estimate he must have spent tens or even hundreds of millions ringgit for this project which, among other things, gave him the confidence that he was going to win big in the GE14, even regaining a two-thirds parliamentary majority.

“For a few months after the unexpected Umno-BN defeat on May 9, 2018, there was thunderous silence as the army of cybertroopers disappeared from the social media scene.

“But they have returned to the Malaysian social media with a vengeance, which means that the funds for such an army of cybertroopers of lies and falsehoods have been reorganised and furnished.

“Maybe this is a tip for both the MCMC and the police, to zero in on the funders and financiers of the cybertroopers of lies and falsehoods in the social media in the campaign to combat fake messages,” said Lim.

Lim said this in response to Najib's recent speech at the Pendang Umno division AGM where he accused the DAP veteran of pitching the idea of setting up Bersatu with the intention of politically splitting the Malays.

During the previous BN administration, some Umno leaders did not shy away from admitting that the parties had engaged the services of “cybertroopers” to defend government policy and attack the opposition.

Among other initiatives, Umno had established an IT bureau headed by Ahmad Maslan, who routinely advised party activists on producing online content.

However, it didn't go smooth sailing for Umno as Najib had once accused “cybertroopers” of indulging in “friendly fire”. Early this year, Najib had also alluded that “cybertroopers” were a waste of money.

Meanwhile, Lim again challenged Najib to reveal evidence of the claim that the former had a hand in the formation of Bersatu.

“Najib said yesterday he will only reveal the identity of the person, who he claimed had revealed my plan on creating Bersatu ‘if necessary’.

“I will not bet Najib will be able to do so, though if such a person exists, it will at least salvage his credibility by one iota that he had not manufactured such a lie from whole cloth, and he could claim that he was only guilty of the shocking gullibility to fall for such a tall claim.

“But such a fraudster who could convince a prime minister with such a tall tale is a person all Malaysians should know. Over to Najib, who is this person if there is one?” said Lim.