Kluang MP calls for select committee on Cambridge Analytica

Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi has urged the government to set up a parliamentary select committee to investigate disgraced propaganda firm Cambridge Analytica's activities in relations to the general elections last year.

In a statement today, Wong (photo) said Cambridge Analytica, now defunct, had a reputation of engaging in psychological warfare and manipulating elections.

In view of this, she said Cambridge Analytica's activities in Malaysia could have been a threat to the country's democracy.

Wong was commenting Cambridge Analytica's role in Malaysia in a recent email leaks known as the Merdeka Papers.

According to the Merdeka Papers, meetings were held between Cambridge Analytica officials were held with then Umno deputy president Ahmad Zahid.

KiniGuide: How politicians use Facebook and Cambridge Analytica to influence your vote

Other meetings were held with BN representatives to pitch a proposal for a campaign meant to hold the coalition win 40 specific parliamentary seats.

The seats to be retained were Arau, Pendang, Jerai, Kulim Bandar Baru, Ketereh, Machang, Bagan Serai, Kuala Kangsar, Telok Intan, Balik Pulau, Cameron Highland, Bentong, Bera, Sungai Besar, Hulu Selangor, Kuala Selangor, Setiawangsa, Titiwangsa, Segamat, Labis, Ledang, Muar, Tebrau, Pasir Gudang, Pulai, Kota Marudu and Beaufort.

The proposal also included the recapture of the Alor Setar, Bachok, Pasir Putih, Kuala Krai, Kuala Nerus, Bukit Gantang, Temerloh, Gombak, Sepang, Lembah Pantai, Telok Kemang, Batu Pahat and Sandakan seats.

Cambridge Analytica was shuttered last year after a former staff blew the whistle on the company, detailing how the company had harvested millions of Facebook profiles without consent for political advertising purposes.

The scandal had prompted investigations by the US Congress and UK parliament.