Buletin MPN Edisi Khas PRU 14

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Viewpoint situation was seen during GE13, where the Government parties were seen to actively engage on digital interactions and used the Internet medium as an ‘election tool’ and it was a success. Despite having lost five states to the Opposition, the Government sustained as the ruling party, and the extent of both parties’ engagement on the Internet was seen equal and fairly driven. Next, as the Internet realm through social media sites are seen to be ‘populating’ a massive percentage of Malaysian-registered voters, the internet is the best place to fish for votes. Self-promotions by the election candidates can also be circulated online and widely shared among internet users. Any memorandums by the parties can also be shared and circulated to reach all possible voters; compared to when it was only possible to do so at election talks or campaigns. It has to be noted that election talks still have high impacts and influence as one of the active tools under election campaigns. Senior citizens who may not be on the Internet but still pose voting powers would prefer to attend such talks as they as found to be more lively, direct and more contented to the public. However, as there are more possible voters present on the Internet; hence any candidates should not pass on the opportunity to promote themselves, and any parties should not waste the opportunity to spread their promises to the citizens thorough their memorandums on the Internet; which is the best place for them to spread like viruses. Furthermore, the term ‘Digital Voters’ fall perfectly in this sense because the Internet and the social media networking sites act as the “engines” of the participating parties in GE14. The fuels needed in this capacity extend to include the portfolios of the candidates, the promised memorandums, election news, information on election talks or some might even use the Internet to criticize on other parties’ candidates or memorandums. You know what they say; all is fine in Love and War. And for them, winning seats in GE14 is like winning fight they have been waiting for five years. However, despite these inputs and responses; the Internet tends to be neutral in state. The internet only provides for the platform for any issues on politics on the election to be widely discussed, and the online-interaction features provided such as users can directly comment, respond or reply to any posts make it possible for them to actively discuss important and concerning matters on the Internet, and having said as being ‘neutral’, the Internet also allows for counter defences and counter attacks for any whom, anywhere. It is apparent that these mixed reactions can be seen on the Internet. This online engagement is what constitutes an online user to being a “Digital Voter”, which is one who has a voting power and chooses to exercise the power based on evaluations he or she will or has made upon the mixed reactions found and circulated on the Internet. And most importantly, one is a “Digital Voter’ when those evaluations contribute to the choices they make on whom to vote in the upcoming GE14. The phenomenon is definitely not new to the international election scenes. For example, the United States Presidential Election once hailed an internet status in 2004 due to the high usage of emails during the election period. Political leaders had downloaded their constitution voters’ data and contacted their target voters via email, while in 2008 the Presidential Election saw the trend of ‘social media’ following high Twitter and Facebook usage among Obama’s volunteers. He was known as the President in the world that utilized new media platforms to reach the voters and targeted new voters in the 2008 election. Malaysia will have the impact of Facebook Election following the use of this platform that is highest among our population composition. As a social media scholar, I have carried out some tracking on the internet election trends among Asian and Western countries since 2008 until now. It is clear that some important factors have been taken into account to identify whether the internet is one of the important factors that According to The Statistic Portal; the number of active internet users in Malaysia has grown to 21.93 million in 2018 and the numbers are expected to grow as high as 23.4 million users by the year 2022. influence election results. Among the key elements being considered is the effectiveness of technology development and the ‘formation of technological society’ in a country, the amount involved in online political participation, the number of hours browsing the Internet, Internet usage skills, the momentum to upload a post), information skills, type of websites, the trend that results in political communication, and the degree of internet factor involved in nation’s political argument. Today, the Internet is a decisive factor in Malaysian elections as political issues and political campaigns are now more dependent on online and electronic media. The Internet in 1998 had only little influence on the political scene in Malaysia. We just got introduced to the world-withoutboundaries back then and according to The Statistic Portal; the number of active internet users in Malaysia has grown to 21.93 million in 2018 and the numbers are expected to grow as high as 23.4 million users by the year 2022. Hence, it is not surprising if we see Malaysia following the trends by major leading countries and the success that the world had seen to which Barack Obama sustained his presidency for two terms; it is to be highly expected that Malaysia has gone digital and would be following in the footsteps; all with similar aim and goals; that is to reach the maximum reach if not obtaining the same success as Obama had. The focus of Malaysia’s previous elections were mostly based on physical and actual approaches to reach the voters; and we are 4 Majlis Profesor Negara
Viewpoint going to see the shift of approach to include the Internet as being regarded as the more influencing election tool. Back in GE12, the utilization of the Internet as an election-tool was one-sided and was seen being unfairly utilized; while it reached to almost an equal state of utilization of both Government and Opposition parties in GE13. Today, the internet is used to influence general views and Malaysian netizens are aware of the impact of the Internet in influencing the votes. Rupert Murdoch’s media millionaire states that by 2050, the media will be completely online or electronic, and print media will not exist anymore. Hence, following Rupert’s vision, Malaysian voters are seen to seek the Internet as their go-to source and start to depend less on the election news on mainstream media. This is when we can see the users dig for information from independent news portals. The Opposition has also taken one step further in exploring and providing online options by broadcasting their on prime time-at-8 news, Berita Nasional INV8 that has stirred more mixed reaction among Digital voters in Malaysia. Hence, this proves the extent of utilization of Internet would either provide for the benefits or the detriment of any participating parties. Political Leader & Social Media Challenges during GE14 With the explosion of false news on online mediums, social media remains the main choice for the political leaders to upload their political activities. Now, to what extent Malaysian politicians are actively engaged in online political participation? Political sector should be prepared to face the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) where the revolution witnesses the Internet of Things (IoT) in almost all aspects of everyday life. This industry improves management efficiency and delivery system because all the matters are digitally carried out. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak addressed the level of Industry 4.0 that led to the success of the National Transformation Vision 2050. Industry 4.0 will bring major changes to traditional media when humans only use smartphones and computers to read news. Media competition is no longer the case but it is compelled to compete with social media that is more attractive to readers. Unaware IT leaders are considered behind the flow of digital information distribution as almost all social media platforms are used to refer to political agenda ahead of the forthcoming GE14. The posters and buntings were the first choice in the 12th and 13th general elections and Twitter, Instagram, short videos and other applications of other political activities created in smart phones have become the top choice and cost-free. Facebook is certainly a great platform that can load all online applications from Twitter to Instagram or Whataps screensshots. Online communication with the people has become much easier especially in attracting young voters who become internet savvy and even target against voters who have different polling trends in each of the previous general elections. The 2018 election trend has shown a more diverse option that includes chain broadcasted messages on the mobile application Whatsapp Messager that are largely spread at random to the voters’ registered phone numbers. While some online users may find this as being intrusive to data privacy, some might value the content and regard this as one of the online-tools the parties have opted to expand the radius of exposure to the voters. As only some of the digital Voters area actively participating in online political forums and discussions, some other online users only utilise the Internet for personal communication and interaction. Hence, the chain broadcasted messages sent to their numbers on the messaging app that is ranked at number one would give such impact and exposure as the messages are highly to be opened and read when the users are using the application. Those who agree on the content can also have the option to further spread and share the messages using the same broadcast or forwarding tool. That is how massive and operative the Internet could be. Indeed, the Internet does have a lot to offer. Having realised the potential the Internet poses, our YAB Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib also owns a number of social media accounts and is actively using them for the benefits of the public. This bright step should be followed by other political leaders. Every government policy announcement and issues are explained using online applications like Facebook and Twitter or YouTube videos. We can see how people communicate with the top leader of the country with their own commentaries and suggestions. It often hits thousands of comments in an instant after he posts any statuses. The voters are able to read his latest statements, watch his videos and watch other links related to his message. Another example is the video uploaded by Rembau Member of Parliament Khairy Jamaluddin ahead of the Chinese New Year celebration on “fish symbolism” which has received 500,000 hits. He is also known for his “political branding” status ever since having 2.3 million followers on Twitter. Facebook is certainly a major platform for political discussion. In the midst of false news challenges, the speed of eradicating false news by political leaders is very important on social media. Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are key factors in helping the country’s political leaders spur the campaign trail. Buletin Pemikir Negara 5
Page 1 and 2: Pemikir Buletin Negara Edisi Khas P
Page 3: Viewpoint GE14: The Rise of Digital
Page 7 and 8: Perpaduan Ke arah Merangka Garis Pa
Page 9 and 10: Isu Calon Antara Faktor Penentu Ole
Page 11 and 12: Dari Meja Pengarang Rakyat Malaysia

Buletin MPN Edisi Khas PRU 14

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