Phison Electronics Corporation chief executive Pua Khein Seng, who is well-known as the 'father of the Pendrive', has threatened to take legal action against Utusan Malaysia for accusing him of funding the so-called DAP cybertroopers dubbed the ‘Red Bean Army’.

NONE In a statement issued on Saturday, Pua denied the allegation made in a news report published in the Umno-owned Malay daily on the same day entitled ‘ Penglibatan syarikat elektronik Taiwan disiasat ’ (Involvement of Taiwanese electronics company probed).

“This is a fabricated, baseless and malicious allegation and I honestly do not know how I should respond since it is an unfounded accusation.

“I hereby urge the authorities who are investigating this allegation to contact me as soon as possible for the truth to be revealed. I will fully cooperate with the authorities.

“I will not hesitate to take legal action against Utusan Malaysia when the investigations are completed by the authorities,” he said.

Last month, Utusan claimed that DAP has spent RM15 million a year for the past six years to hire 200 cybertroopers, dubbed the ‘Red Bean Army’ , to demonise BN and the federal government in cyberspace.

Despite a denial by DAP, Utusan continued to harp on the issue, citing anonymous sources who claimed that Pua was financially supporting the army as he is closely linked to the DAP government in Penang, and the police are expected to arrest several members of the ‘Red Bean Army’ soon.

Pua, one of the inventors of the USB flash drive, has campaigned for Pakatan Rakyat during the last general election.

He currently resides in Taiwan where his company is based.

‘Total fabricated lie’

Today DAP’s Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong issued a statement slamming Utusan for making false and malicious allegations against Pua and DAP.

“DAP reiterates that the ‘Red Bean Army’ is a total fabricated lie. To date the police and Utusan has yet to give further explanation on the members and actions of the ‘Red Bean Army’.

“The allegation by Utusan against Pua, who is the pride of Malaysians, is completely without evidence and explanation, and is clearly an irresponsible action to create fear,” he said, adding that it as a desperate move by BN after its setback in the general election.    

DAP’s Senai state assemblyperson Wong Shu Qi also urged Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to immediately stop the witch-hunt against Pakatan supporters to prove that he is serious about his “national reconciliation” remark.

On the other hand, Terengganu police have formed a special team to monitor seditious and slanderous information spread through the social media in the state.

Responding to the ‘Red Bean Army’ allegation, state police chief Jamshah Mustapa said the police will not hesitate to take action against those who commit such offences, according to a report by national news agency Bernama .

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