How are extremists using social media to incite racial and religious hatred in Malaysia?

Question

Accepted Answer

Social Media Exploited by Extremists to Amplify Racial and Religious Divisiveness in Malaysia

Extremists are leveraging social media platforms, particularly TikTok and Twitter, to propagate and incite ideological, racial, and religious sentiments in Malaysia. This manipulation aims to foster division and can ultimately lead to violent outcomes. The short-form video format of TikTok makes it an effective channel for reaching young Malaysians, who are increasingly targeted by such content and can even become perpetrators themselves.
Propagation of Divisive Narratives

During Malaysia's 15th general election (GE15), social media witnessed a rise in narratives centered around "Ketuanan Melayu," with PAS's Hadi identified as a significant amplifier of this ideology. These platforms are used by politicians to expand their reach, especially among newly enfranchised young voters who have been influenced by policies like "UNDI18." Extremist politicians are employing these channels to promote viewpoints that contradict Malaysia's foundational principles and the Federal Constitution, often framing opposition groups like Pakatan Harapan (PH) as adversaries. A study analyzing 679 TikTok videos found 373 containing hateful narratives, with a significant portion featuring Malay-language hate speech directed at non-Malays, particularly the Chinese community.
Impact on Youth Worldview and Nation-Building

Social media functions as a powerful filter, reducing complex societal dynamics to simplistic lenses of race and religion, effectively creating a virtual reality for younger generations. Consequently, the worldview of young people can become heavily dependent on the content they consume online. This dynamic is detrimental to nation-building efforts and the establishment of a cohesive Malaysian identity. The manipulation of events, such as the "Jom Ziarah Gereja" program, which was distorted to imply Christian evangelism by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hannah Yeoh, exemplifies how incidents can be twisted to fuel animosity. The potential for violence is amplified as terror groups are reportedly planning and preparing to act.
Regulatory and Legislative Responses

In response to these challenges, the Malaysian government is proposing amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act (1998) and the Communications and Multimedia Commission Act (1998). These changes aim to strengthen the regulatory framework designed to combat the exploitation of race, religion, and royalty (3Rs). The "scarring effect" of social media use during GE15, particularly in Malay heartlands where youth may be more susceptible, remains a concern. The Bar Council has advocated for the enactment of a National Harmony and Reconciliation Bill and a Hate Crimes Bill to address these issues more comprehensively.
Strengthening Legal Frameworks and Public Engagement

Existing laws, such as the Sedition Act (1948) and the Penal Code, are considered by some to require updates and supplementation to effectively tackle extremism on social media. There is also a call for greater public engagement, encouraging citizens to report seditious content as they are seen as frontliners in the fight against extremism. Furthermore, state religious authorities are urged to take action against hate preachers whose interpretations are deemed deviant and damaging to the reputation of Islam. The development of a new national narrative, grounded in the Federal Constitution and Rukunegara, potentially through a Preamble to the Federal Constitution and a National Pledge, is also proposed as a means to counter divisive ideologies.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

How are extremists using social media to incite racial and religious hatred in Malaysia?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends