BERUAS, MALAYSIA: The Barisan Nasional should find ways to challenge the anti-government "filth and lies" now spreading in the Internet, said Gerakan adviser Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik.

He said he told Barisan representatives seven years ago that political parties needed to reply to the "lies" posted on the Internet.

"They should use websites to provide two sides of the story.

"Otherwise, the people will simply be drowned by one-sided stories spewed out by some bloggers," he told reporters after visiting the construction site of SJK (C) Pei Ching here yesterday.

He added that the proliferation of anti-government views in the Internet might affect fence sitters in the coming general election.

On how students and youths had been using online networking and blogging sites to create virtual protest groups, Dr Lim said:

"In a free and democratic country, they have every right to do so. But we must fight all this.

"If it becomes rampant, the government or the future government must do something about it. Don?t ask me what because in another month, I am out."

He added that Barisan members and supporters should stop being "so passive and actively challenge those causing a stir in the cyberworld."

On a separate matter, Dr Lim, who is Energy, Water and Communications Minister, said WiMAX wireless broadband licence holders would be given two years to cover at least 80% of Malaysia with wireless broadband coverage.

"This should reach at least 90% of the population, including those in the rural areas," he said, adding that 5,000 new base stations needed to be build to achieve this.

He urged those living in rural areas to write to the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission if they were unable to receive adequate mobile phone network coverage.