I have never felt less safe as an MP than now, says Wong Chen

I have never felt less safe as an MP than now, says Wong Chen

The Subang MP says never has he been a target of blackmail until last Friday.

Wong Chen
Subang MP Wong Chen said his office received an email on Friday containing a menacing message, a screenshot of a purported sex video with his face digitally inserted, and a QR code demanding payment of US$100,000.
PETALING JAYA:
Subang MP Wong Chen says he has never felt less safe as a legislator than he does today, following an attempted blackmail involving a fabricated sex video generated with artificial intelligence.

Wong, who has been an MP since 2013, said his office received an email on Friday containing a menacing message, a screenshot of a purported sex video with his face digitally inserted, and a QR code demanding payment of US$100,000.

“I have been an MP for 13 years; now serving in my third term. Never have I been a target of blackmail until Friday,” he said in a statement today.

“It is ironic that as a parliamentarian from PKR, the ruling party of the Madani government, I personally feel less safe as a legislator now, compared to my time during previous governments as an opposition MP.”

Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, Sungai Petani MP Dr Taufiq Johari, Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin and Kota Anggerik assemblyman Najwan Halimi also said they had received similar emails.

Wong, who said he had discussed the email with Rafizi, noted that it might not be a coincidence that both PKR MPs were targeted on the same day.

“Other than our faces, both photos are exactly identical … from the fold of the pillows and blanket, to the room, the bed and the naked person in the photo.

“In other words, the same person had attempted to blackmail both of us, but separately.

“The fact that this blackmail attempt was so fake and so badly executed worries me more,” he said.

He said his office immediately lodged a police report, and he had sought help from IT and cryptocurrency experts to trace the account behind the demand.

He also plans to push for Bank Negara Malaysia and the Securities Commission to reveal know-your-customer details that could help identify the culprits.

Expressing sympathy for Rafizi, who has faced repeated attacks, including against his family, Wong said he echoed Rafizi’s concerns that the attacks may be an attempt to access their electronic devices.

He also noted that the incidents could signal a broader effort to silence lawmakers or undermine parliamentary democracy.

“I will not retreat. I will continue to discharge my duties and views without fear or favour,” he said.

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