Govt never engaged data analysis firm for GE13: PMO

KUALA LUMPUR: Data analyses firm Cambridge Analytica (CA) had never been hired by Barisan Nasional (BN) or the government to influence its campaign during the 13th general election (GE13), the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement.
In a statement today, it stated that contrary to media reports, neither CA nor its parent company SCL Group have ever been contracted, employed or paid in any way by BN, the PMO or any government agency.
"However, the SCL Group country representative confirmed that the firm had rendered advice on GE13 directly to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) deputy president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir when the latter was Kedah mentri besar.
"The SCL representative confirmed that he reported directly to Mukhriz, not BN or the government," the PMO stated.
Former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has denied any knowledge of engaging CA during GE13.
"I don't know. I have no knowledge and this is the first time I've heard about it," Muhyiddin, who is PPBM president, said during a press conference at the Dewan Rakyat today.
Muhyiddin was BN election director at the time of the alleged engagement.
CA claimed on its website that it supported BN in Kedah with a "targeted messaging" campaign highlighting school improvements since 2008.
BN won Kedah back from Pakatan Rakyat in GE13.
The ruling coalition won 21 out of 36 state seats contested, and 10 out of the 15 parliamentary seats.
CA was also involved in US President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign.