Umno has detected the circulation of fake text messages purportedly from several party leaders to its members since three days ago, said its executive secretary, Ab Rauf Yusoh.

He said the text messages asking Umno members to close party operation rooms and headquarters were not from party leaders, but were likely from those who wanted to throw the party’s machinery into disarray allegedly through spoofing attack.

Speaking to reporters at the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today, he did not rule out the possibility that mobile phone numbers of Umno president Najib Abdul Razak and his deputy, Muhyiddin Yassin, could also had been spoofed to send fake text messages.

Ab Rauf urged Umno campaigners and the public who received misleading messages to inform Umno headquarters or lodge reports with the police or the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.

He said Umno also urged the authorities to remove campaign posters, banners and pamphlets harping on racial and religious sentiments purportedly from the Barisan Nasional (BN) being put up in certain states.

“Although they have the BN logo, they are not from BN. The people should not be deceived by this political ploy,” he added.

- Bernama