.png)
KUALA LUMPUR – A news bulletin on Awesome TV’s Berita 7:57 is being panned on social media for its racist editorial stance after urging Malay voters to vote in full force in the coming general election (GE15) to prevent political power from falling into non-Malay hands.
A clip of the broadcast dated November 3 on Channel 123 under pay TV operator Astro Malaysia shows two news anchors saying Malay voters should fulfil their duty by voting to prevent the rise of non-Malay politicians.
They also cite data by the Huayan Policy Institute Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies that said 80% of Chinese voters are expected to cast their ballots, while around 10% do not intend to in the November 19 polls.
“All Malay voters must come out to vote to fulfil their civic duty if they don’t want political power to be controlled by other races… if they don’t want Pakatan Harapan (PH) to win,” says one anchor in the bulletin.
“If Malays don’t vote, politicians who should not hold power will come into power and marginalise Malay rights,” the bulletin also states.
It also reminds Malay voters to heed the failures of the PH government during its 22-month stint in power, claiming that it prioritised non-Malay issues.
On Twitter, social media users are condemning the news clip, calling it “crazy” and blatantly racist.
Former Klang MP Charles Santiago also slammed the clip, calling its reporting “racist to the core” and designed to plant fear ahead of GE15. He also urged the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to take immediate action.
STATEMENT: This reporting is racist to the core & seems planted to create fear ahead of GE15 News must be accurate & truthful as it influences public perception. @MCMC_RASMI needs act urgently. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/TuEphj81k4
— Charles Santiago (@mpklang) November 6, 2022
“No media should become (a) stooge for the government. It’s a huge disservice to the country & its people,” Santiago added in another tweet.
Awesome TV and its Berita 7:57 programme drew controversy in April for accusing outgoing Securities Commission executive chairman Datuk Syed Zaid Syed Jaafar Albar of failing to help Bumiputera companies.
Awesome TV has been approached for comments. – The Vibes, November 6, 2022