| KUALA LUMPUR, Apr 19: The announcement that every Malaysian citizen aged 18 years and above would get a "1Malaysia" email address has riled up cyberspace.
 "Big Brother"-ish, "stupid", "rip-off" - these are just some of the words popping up on microblogging site Twitter, reacting to news of the prime ministerial announcement earlier today.
Najib Razak said the government would provide email account to all Malaysians aged 18 and above to facilitate direct and secure communication with government agencies, adding that the plan was part of a new one-stop web portal for government services tasked to Tricubes Berhad.
Najib’s announcement had created an immediate buzz on Twitter, with many Malaysians took the opportunity to poke fun on what they described as ‘silly’ to begin with.
“Free email accounts from government? Dear Najib Razak, why spend taxpayers' money to replicate what Google, MSN. Yahoo etc already give for free? Looting!” said one on Twitter in an immediate response.
“1Malaysia email announcement is another case of 1WhatTheHeckWereYouThinking? Let the jokes begin,” came another reaction. "Big Bro watchin, eeks," reads a twit from Lembah Pantai member of parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar, referring to the ever-watchful 'Big Brother' character in George Orwell's political fiction, Nineteen Eighty Four. Subang Jaya state assemblywoman Hannah Yeoh said if the government could implement the programme, then it should also be able to automatically register every 18-year old and above Malaysians as a voter.
“If Federal Govt can give all Malaysians a 1Malaysia account, I don't understand why automatic voters registration cannot be done,” she remarked.  1Malaysia Tupperware, now email
Some compared the plan to the recent rush for thousands of free Tupperware plastic containers bearing the 1Malaysia logo, distributed by Barisan Nasional at its campaign rallies in Sarawak last week.
“Sarawak got free 1Malaysia Tupperware. So now whole Malaysia got free 1Malaysia email. Want to give Tupperware will have logistic problems,” a Twit chipped in, cheekily.
But some Malaysians are thinking ahead, sarcastically ‘booking’ email usernames.
“For legal free screening on porn clip (best in KL some said Bangkok), please email DatukT@1Malaysia.com.myThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,” joked one, referring to the trio led by former Melaka chief minister Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik, who released a pornographic clip targetted at Anwar Ibrahim.
“For inquiries on foreign brides (especially from Lebanon) also email pekmo@1malaysia.com.myThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,” chided another, hinting at none other than the newly married Lebanese wife of Pekmo, the nickname for Sarawak chief minister Taib Mahmud.
Jokes aside, others expressed serious misgivings over the plan, telling the government to first consider giving free Internet, including wireless, connection.
“It’s more beneficial if Najib provides free Internet for all,” said one. “Let’s start with free WiFi first,” added another.
But there are also those who questioned the whole obsession with Internet and email address, such as this:
"What about those people who don't even have electricity, let alone internet access? Give them email account to generate electricity ah?" asked one Twitter user, Pelf Nyok.
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Didaftar atas nama '1M Malaysians who don't want Najib's 1 Malaysia email', sehingga berita ini ditulis ianya telah mempunyai 21,913 pengguna Facebook yang meminatinya.
