#ge13

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Week 5: Social media’s role in Malaysia’s politics

Years ago, the low political engagement among youth in many parts of developed and developing countries have brought up several academic concern and some researches have suggested that traditional mass communication has limited impact on increasing the youth’s political interest (Abdu, Mohamad & Muda 2017). Consequently, politics have now shifted from their traditional offline medium to online approach. And because of that, it almost seems like an essential procedure for a politician to set up an official account on several social media platforms before participating in politics. As a result, promoting campaign online allows politicians to reach out to a bigger audience almost instantaneously. Besides, studies have also shown that youths are now practicing democratic citizenship and political engagement with a new approach through social media (Abdulrauf, Abdul Hamid & Ishak 2017). In today’s era, social media have already changed how citizens interact with politics and how politicians advertise their political activities.

How does it affect Malaysia’s politics?

In fact, Malaysia has already started its first social media election in the year of 2013 (Lim 2013). Some of the Malaysians may not remember how chaotic GE13 was as GE14 has become one of the most memorable elections in Malaysia’s political history. However, during GE13, it was the first time I realize how impactful social media can be in the aspect of politics. During GE13, just like GE14 people are constantly live updating the results of the election, However, one of the memorable things in GE13 was the tremendously outrageous rumors that were spread across social media.

One of the biggest rumors was the #blackout

During GE13, some people have been spreading across social media saying that power outage has occurred in several locations when votes are being calculated. Additionally, extra ballot boxes were allegedly being brought into the voting stations during the blackout (Kuck 2018). And many believed this tactic is to manipulate the votes. Although later official authority has claimed that there are no blackout reports on that day. However, when the news first appeared online, citizens were furious and reacted quickly. And as a result, memes were being created.

When the result of GE13 has been announced, citizens weren’t very happy about it. Malaysians even started to use the hashtag ‘#Blackout’ and changed their social media’s profile picture into an all-black picture to express their dissatisfaction.

Later when the elected candidate – Najib Razak posted on his social media to celebrate the result, people are heavily criticizing him as he claimed that the election was true, fair and transparent. However due to the rumors of him manipulating the votes, many believed otherwise, and citizens are heavily criticizing him and commenting under his post. Years later during GE14, when he has lost to the opposition party, Malaysians dug up the 2013 post and many started commenting the exact same statement under his post.

As I said earlier, the rumors were proven to be false by authorities yet people’s opinion and perspectives towards Najib Razak remains the same as time goes by. This shows how much influence social media can bring when it comes to the political aspect. Rumors can be spread across social media easily and the impact could be devastating to the targeted politician. In a nutshell, social media is a double-edged sword for the politicians.

 References

Abdu, SD, Mohamad, B & Muda, S 2017, “Youth online political participation: The role of Facebook use, interactivity, quality information and political interest”, SHS Web of Conferences, vol. 33, p. 2.

Abdulrauf, AA, binti Abdul Hamid, N & bin Ishak, MS 2017, "Cognitive engagement and online political participation on social media among youths in Malaysia: The moderating role of political knowledge", SHS Web of Conferences, vol. 33, p. 85.

Lim, Y 2013, PM: GE13 will be Malaysia’s 1st ‘social media election’, The Star Online, viewed 8 April 2019, <https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2013/02/27/pm-ge13-will-be-malaysias-1st-social-media-election/>.

Kuck, I 2018, Remember the dirty tactics that happened in GE13? Here are 8 things that we wouldn’t want to see in this GE14, ohmychannel, viewed on 8 April 2019, <http://ohmychannel.com/article/C1805081114490743/remember-the-dirty-tactics-that-happened-in-ge13-here-are-5-things-that-we-wouldnand-39-t-want-to-see-in-this-ge14>.

Chow, E 2018, Malaysians aged 21-39 made up majority of registered voters in GE14, World Of Buzz, viewed 8 April 2019, <https://www.worldofbuzz.com/malaysians-aged-21-39-made-up-majority-of-registered-voters-in-ge14/>.

[canada4news]

Thomas says he had support of Kit Siang, Karpal to be AG if Pakatan won GE13

Thomas says he had support of Kit Siang, Karpal to be AG if Pakatan won GE13

PETALING JAYA: Former attorney general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas has claimed he had the support of DAP bigwigs Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh to be appointed to the post had Pakatan Rakyat, as the coalition was called then, won the 13th General Election. In his newly-released memoir “My Story: Justice in the Wilderness”, Thomas recounted how he had met the late former lord president Tun Salleh Abas to…

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[ebisss-my]

Hadi pahit atas keengganan DAP untuk menyokongnya sebagai PM dalam PRU13, kata Kit Siang | Malaysia

Hadi pahit atas keengganan DAP untuk menyokongnya sebagai PM dalam PRU13, kata Kit Siang | Malaysia

Veteran DAP Lim Kit Siang berkata ia adalah 'rahmat menyamar' bahawa pakatan pembangkang Pakatan Rakyat tidak memenangi Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13 pada 2013. – Gambar oleh Yusof Mat Isa

KUALA LUMPUR, 22 Jan – Veteran DAP, Lim Kit Siang, malam ini berkata bahawa serangan Presiden PAS Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang terhadap partinya adalah kerana DAP enggan menyokongnya sebagai calon perdana menteri…

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[therakyatpost]

New Post has been published on The Rakyat Post

New Post has been published on http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/04/15/upko-ready-to-shift-to-higher-gear-in-preparation-for-ge14/

Upko ready to shift to higher gear in preparation for GE14

KOTA KINABALU, April 15, 2015:

United Pasokmomogun KadazanDusunMurut Organisation (Upko) is shifting to “gear two” in its earnest efforts to win back the three seats it lost a couple years ago.

The assertion comes from acting president Datuk Madius Tangau, who also pointed out that Upko was growing “from strength to strength by the day” in areas where it successfully defended in the 13th General Elections (GE13).

The party’s machinery for the next general election, he revealed, had started and the feedback had been very encouraging, not only to retain the seats the party won, but also to recapture those they lost in GE13.

“We will be going into high gear for full speed soon enough. For this, I thank our grassroots supporters and leaders.

“I pray, our leadership will be blessed and our leaders be given strength and mandate to carry out their responsibilities for the Pasokmomogun communities along the path of principle centred on service,” he said when asked to elaborate on his speech during a meet-the-people session in Kg Tohan Baru, Keningau, on Tuesday.

Stressing that Upko is progressing well in Keningau, Tangau is confident that it will win back the Bingkor and Moyog state seats as well as the Penampang parliamentary constituency.

He is also optimistic that Upko would be able to retain the Paginatan, Nabawan, Kuamut and Kuala Penyu state seats as well as the Ranau, Putatan and Tuaran parliamentary seats.

Among the efforts carried out were to update and increase party memberships as well as to bring in development for all sectors in the areas.

Tangau noted that the preparation to recapture Bingkor received a major boost after the government finally appointed a Community Development Leader early this year.

The post was mandated to Upko deputy Youth chief Kennedy John Angian, who was also the party candidate during the GE13.

He was instrumental in bringing in 130 new members yesterday, including the 50 who made up the new Upko branch in Kg Tohan Baru, led by Victor Petrus Gansau.

[therakyatpost]

New Post has been published on The Rakyat Post

New Post has been published on http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/04/01/ge13-candidate-is-umnos-best-bet-says-analyst/

GE13 candidate is Umno's best bet, says analyst

KUALA LUMPUR, April 1, 2015:

Umno’s GE13 candidate, who is also a former Penang PAS Youth chief, would be the best candidate for Umno if the party wanted to seize Permatang Pauh from PKR’s grasp, a political analyst said.

Political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said Dr Mazlan Ismail would be able to garner the support from both Umno and PAS supporters.

“The conflict between PAS and DAP has made the Islamic party’s supporters uneasy and most probably could give votes to Umno.

“It is also the best way to again avoid putting an unsuitable candidate in the area,” he told The Rakyat Post.

The Universiti Sains Malaysia lecturer added that PAS would be walking side by side with Pakatan Rakyat in the by-election.

He said, however, if PAS decided to cut ties with PR during the by-election, it would have a big impact.

“PAS has the Permatang Pasir state seat, which it has won since 1999, and it is a stronghold for the party in Permatang Pauh.

“Therefore, if PAS wants to cut ties with PR during the by-election campaign period, something unexpected may happen.”

Mazlan was previously Umno’s candidate in the 13th General Election.

In the 2013 election, PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim defeated Mazlan with a 11,721 majority. The former garnered 37,090 votes.

The seat was earlier today declared vacant after the Board of Pardon rejected an application for a royal pardon by Anwar’s family.

The former Deputy Prime Minister was found guilty of sodomising his former aide in 2008 and is currently serving a five-year prison sentence.

[therakyatpost]

New Post has been published on The Rakyat Post

New Post has been published on http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/11/28/umno-will-forget-chinese/

'Umno will not forget the Chinese'

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28, 2014:

Umno will not forget the Chinese even though the party was disappointed with the minimal support received from them during the last General Election.

According to Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, in whatever situation, Umno would not forget the Chinese and would continue to serve Malaysians regardless of race or religion.

However, he urged all Umno members to realise the basis of Umno’s fight was to defend Malay and Islam.

“No, we cannot forget the Chinese, but at the same time, Umno must take care of our foundation, the foundation is Malay.

“The feelings of Malays must be looked after, and when Malays unite with Umno, I believe that eventually the Chinese will have no choice but to be with Umno because a majority of them are practical,” Ahmad Shabery said.

“What is the use for them to support other parties that maybe cannot give them what they want. And the most important thing they want is from the economic aspect, therefore they will have to see who can give stability in the country,” he added, when met after the launching of the “Kuasa Propaganda” book at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here today.

He said this when asked to comment on Perak Umno delegate Datuk Mohd Razi Manan who opined that Umno should no longer expect to get support from the Chinese.

Mohd Razi, in his speech at the 2014 Umno General Assembly today said Umno should focus on the Malays, since the Chinese will no longer vote for Umno.

Ahmad Shabery said the opinion by Mohd Razi may have some truth to it but cannot be used as an excuse for Umno to completely abandon the Chinese.

“He meant we shouldn’t really hope to gain Chinese votes, because we are sincere in what they do and we know some of them have other reasons for not voting us,” he said.

“I face the same problem in my area. The Chinese are a small community but when they want land, we give. They want schools, we give. They want roads, we give. But when it comes to casting their votes, they say, sorry YB, this time we want to see Umno fall,” the Communications and Multimedia Minister said.

However, he said that Umno will continue to serve all Malaysians and ensure stability for the country, especially in terms of economy, unity and peace.

[therakyatpost]

New Post has been published on The Rakyat Post

New Post has been published on http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/05/05/one-year-later-ge13-gotten-us/

One year later, where has GE13 gotten us?

By Rajina Dhillon

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5:

A year ago today, Malaysia saw an election that was undoubtedly the most historical to date, especially since it created a tsunami of sorts.

Even to this day, stories of disappointment and success during the 13th General Election (GE13) make for heated table talk among Malaysians, be it those who voted for the first time or veteran voters.

The Rakyat Post decided to head out and speak to a few citizens and get their views on what has changed a year later and whether their aspirations and hopes post-GE13 have come to life.

A 27-year-old telecommunications company executive, who declined to be named, said that a year had passed in the blink of an eye, but that one year was too short a benchmark to weigh in on the government’s performance.

“Hopefully, from now, we will be able to see what they have worked on, for example, the GST, improvement of public transportation and more,” she said, referring to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) set to be implemented in April next year.

(Clockwise from top left ) Mohd Affendi, 34, IT officer; Hazazi Hashim, 28, executive; Tini Yusof, 62, retiree; Moriah, 30s, boutique manager.[/caption]

To Mohd Affendi, a 34-year-old information technology officer, a year was also too soon to tell as everything felt the same as it did before.

Tini Yusof, a 62-year-old retiree, said in terms of significant changes, things have been good.

“Everything is not for the worst. I’m happy because I have everything that I need. I see that things are slowly coming up. Things don’t happen overnight.”

Things feel the same to Sajori Mokhtar as well, whose only wish was to see people living peacefully and contently.

The 54-year-old CIMB runner said he was 9 when the May 13 tragedy struck in Kampung Baru where he still resides and he saw how people suffered and were killed.

“I will remember that till the day I die. So to me, things are much better today and we should appreciate it,” he added.

But Marzuki Mohd Top, 35, said that he still wished to see more transparency and benefits for workers in the private sector.

(Clockwise, from top left) Sajori Mokhtar, 54, CIMB runner; Marzuki Mohd Top, 35, IT officer; Sanjay A., 25, property negotiator; Paramalingam, 47, lawyer.[/caption]

“During the GE13, most spoke of added benefits for those in the public and government sectors. I would hope for better things for those in the private sector,” said the information technology worker.

25-year-old property negotiator Sanjay A. opined that some little things may have changed, but he saw that promises had yet to be kept and politicians from both sides of the divide were to be blamed.

“Both BN (Barisan Nasional) and PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) have slush funds and won’t change. Both sides of the political divide are at fault and wrong. The reason we don’t click as people is because of politicians.

“There is a deeply-rooted problem in the system and a total overhaul of the government is needed, which will take 40 to 50 years. I don’t think I’m going to see that in my lifetime. Hopefully, our children will see that.”

Paramalingam, a 47 year-old lawyer, also saw no changes since GE13 took place, and pointed out how prices have gone up and racism still reigns.

“Racial tensions are worse and nothing is being done about it. Splinter groups like Perkasa and what not are making noise. What is the Prime Minister doing about it? He is not stopping them. By not stopping them, he is encouraging them.”

With a child who is in Year Four, Paramalingam said he also noticed even government schools have become more priority-based and he often asks himself what the future was for non-Malays.

Hazazi Hashim, 28, saw education among Malaysians still lacking, with politicians not doing anything about it.

The executive said: “Whether it’s the Opposition or the government, they need to educate people more. The scenario was people voting based on preference and not the ideas or policies.

“Every five years it will be the same. There won’t be a significant change. Even if the Opposition comes in nothing will change,” said Hazazi.

Pointing a finger at the recent anti-GST rally, Hazazi said it was good to demonstrate against something they weren’t happy about, but he opined that most didn’t even know what GST was.

“It all comes with education. At least they should know what it is instead of simply showing up. This is not good for development.”

Moriah, a boutique manager in her 30s, said that she had a slightly different view from most in that she felt people were being overly critical of the government post-GE13.

“We should give them (the government) constructive views, suggestions and encourage them. With our Prime Minister, it’s not easy to be in his position. We should try to put ourselves in his shoes.

“His pressures come from different areas. But everything he has done is seen as bad in the eyes of the public. With all these protests and rallies, we shouldn’t take vengeance into our hands. In any situation or problem, there is a solution.”