Anonymous Malaysia first made waves when they released a video on 26 January threatening to hack government websites due to their weak security system. Despite a warning from the National Security Council (MKN), Anonymous Malaysia claimed to have hacked websites of the Johor government, the Ministry of Health, Politeknik Melaka, Politeknik Ungku Omar, Politeknik Sultan Idris Shah, and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
On 19 February, the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) arrested 11 men who are believed to be involved in hacking government computer systems, in seven raids that took place all across the country. The raids were carried out by a team of officers from the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK) around the Klang Valley, Perak, Johor, and Pahang after authorities allegedly spied and conducted intelligence on the men.
Director of the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK), Datuk Zainuddin Yaacob said to Sinar Harian today that PDRM found out the Anonymous Malaysia hackers were found to have a background in IT. The majority of the eleven suspects arrested are highly educated in the IT field and some were even master-degree holders.
“Investigations are still ongoing and the possibility of the group’s hacking actions is to show off their skills, obtain classified information as well as peer influence.”
Datuk Zainuddin added that no new suspects have been arrested and the current suspects have all been released with police guarantee. He also urged the public to come forward if they have any information regarding this group.
Netizens on Twitter called out PDRM for stating the obvious and it’s expected of hackers to be experts in the IT field.
“Ohhh, really ah? I thought they were cooking experts!”
“Is it? I thought they took farming and cooking subjects at school last time!”
What do you think of this statement by PDRM? Let us know in the comments section!
Also read: Anonymous Malaysia is Anonymous No More, 11 Suspects Arrested