Social Media in the ‘New ’

30 NOVEMBER 2018 | Sunway University

by HO YI JIAN

On 30 November 2018, the Jeffrey former blogger and former member of Cheah Institute organised a forum Parliament for Jelutong. entitled, “Social Media in the ‘New Malaysia” to discuss how social media Kicking-off the discussion, Dr Pauline has changed the political landscape in Leong outlined the historical rise of Malaysia. What does it mean for social media in modern Malaysian Malaysian politics in a world where politics. The gaps in political coverage people are now receiving their news in BN-controlled mainstream media in mostly from social media platforms, the mid-90s led to the rise of the and the corresponding rise of internet as a source of information. “A lot of things have changed, but many stay the same… A piece of deliberate misinformation in a post- By the 2008 election, political bloggers breaking news or video can spread truth world? had dominated cyberspace. The 2013 easily regardless of its truth value, general election was dubbed the Moderated by JCI Senior Fellow and that can cause harm.” Professor James Chin, the forum ‘Facebook election’ as BN reacted by Jeff Ooi featured as panellists: Dr Pauline pouring resources into developing online media and by blocking bloggers. Leong, Senior Lecturer, Department of media, reflected that BN in the mid- However, Dr Leong observed that Communication and Liberal Arts, 2000s was still caught up in their sentiments on the ground did not Sunway University; Datuk Seri Ti Lian traditional modes of service hence match up with online sentiments – this Ker, senator and Vice-President of underestimated the frustrations and changed in GE14. The recent election MCA, and Senior Partner of Messrs ideas of the hitherto alienated also saw greater adoption of Wong, Law & Ti; YB Dr Ting Tiong professional, English-speaking middle livestreaming technology. Choon, Sarawak State Assemblyman class. He admitted that while BN did for Pujut (DAP); and Jeff Ooi, columnist, Jeff Ooi was one of the bloggers engage people on social media in the leading that charge in the mid-2000s. previous election, they relied on Taking advantage of Prime Minister opportunistic external experts who Mahathir’s digital push during his first took the new media-savvy generation stint in government, Ooi adapted Dan of voters for granted. Gilmore’s model of presenting news in YB Dr Ting Tiong Choon represented a short format to trigger the East Malaysian experience. He meaningful reader engagement. While related his use of social media to Ooi is no longer actively blogging, he interact with his constituents. He said noted that content produced today that rural folk who migrated to urban “Many people do not like what still lacks sufficient quality, meaning centres for work were exposed to DAP is doing with their fake and impact. accounts to hype up their social media, noting that even the opinions.” Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker, as one of the first Dayak were spreading messages Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker few MCA politicians to adopt social through Whatsapp. He believes it is Social Media in the ‘New Malaysia’ 2

simply difficult for a politician today to The panel also spent substantial time that the government’s approach has survive without social media. discussing fake news. On the question not changed, but he sees the people’s of regulation against misinformation, response as part of the change within Addressing Datuk Seri Ti’s remarks that Ooi believes in a self-regulating social media platforms themselves. he was attacked by DAP’s so-called framework, as idealistic as it sounds. ‘Red Bean Army’, Ooi then tackled the According to him, these tensions are Ooi reminded the audience that issue of cybertroopers. Ooi merely “growing pains” in an emerging mobile phone penetration in Malaysia acknowledged that there exists a class democracy. is at 123%, meaning that more people of die-hard DAP followers who see are participating in social media than their actions as justified as they believe However, Datuk Seri Ti believes in ever before. Despite the recent regime themselves to be the underdogs. On legislation, and that the current change, citizens must still do their part the flipside, Ooi acknowledged that BN government is currently being too to use social media positively. Datuk had their own capable spin doctor in tolerant of abusers. Seri Ti gave a final warning that while Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who had social media will not change, it is the elevated the quality of debate in his politics of social media that will change: own way. However, when prodded the abuse of social media will become why BN’s financial advantage did not more drastic, more racially charged, win them GE14, Jeff responded that and more dangerous than before. they did not have enough lead time to win the perception battle.

Dr Leong affirmed that BN’s content was not as organic as PH’s. She cited a video where the then incumbent PM Najib and Khairy Jamaluddin were “Fake news is a big issue… there is having a conversation at a ‘mamak’ no one solid news source we can restaurant —but an astute viewer trust.” Dr Ting Tiong Choon pointed out the unrealistic nature of the scene because of the absence of other patrons. Dr Ting highlighted that politicians have a role to play in the management of public crises: they can show leadership to provide real information before a situation spins out of control. Dr Leong on the other hand, took a different tack to emphasise media literacy, and instilling the sense of personal responsibility to check the validity of a piece of news before spreading it. She noted that many “I don’t see the need for people have grievances with the Anti- legislation, but I do see the need Fake News Act because it was passed for media literacy.” so hastily and without wider Dr Pauline Leong consultation. The forum concluded with Professor She also highlighted that in our social Chin asking if there was change in the media landscape, language silos and social media landscape in post-GE14 cyber ‘ghettoes’ still do exist. She Malaysia. Dr Leong gave a mixed believes that while many answer: while people were more are multilingual, preferences always participative and engaged with their exist that keep different communities leaders, social media is merely a mirror isolated from each other, even online. of their offline realities which have yet to change. Dr Ting took the position