GE15: what’s your price? voteordie.shop lists alleged cost of politicians’ lifestyles

KUALA LUMPUR – With voting day for the 15th general election (GE15) just around the corner, it appears that a group of concerned citizens have taken it upon themselves to educate the masses on political details by highlighting extravagant purchases by politicians. 

At first glance, voteordie.shop might look like a satirical website set up to incite ire over the astounding price tags attached to accessories and clothes worn by figures from both sides of the political divide. 

However, a closer look at the website suggests that its creators – who remain unknown as of press time – are attempting to disperse information on GE15 and the necessity of citizens casting their votes. 

What’s latest on Malaysian politicians fashionè style?

Visit: https://t.co/elOtq8gNxQ #KitaIngat #ShopNow pic.twitter.com/N79i1BnuFj

— DevarajDB ⚡️ (@DevarajDB) November 15, 2022

Some of the items displayed on the website as being for sale include a Richard Mille RM033 Extra Thin watch as allegedly worn by Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, valued at a whopping RM423,150, as well as an Aquaracer CAF101A watch apparently spotted on the wrist of Pakatan Harapan (PH) chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim priced at RM6,806.

The most exorbitant item listed on the website is a RM1 million Felipe Massa Rose Gold watch as allegedly worn by incumbent Ketereh MP Tan Sri Annuar Musa.  

The description of the product chides the price tag as being “more than twice the estimated amount an average Malaysian needs to retire comfortably”. 

Other items, such as the Carlo Como En Cuir Alligator shoes allegedly styled by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, feature similarly sarcastic illustrations of the item, such as “Durable shoes protect the wearer from injury while walking all over the rakyat (citizens).” 

Those interested in purchasing such iconic pieces will instead be directed to a display about the brand, which calls itself voteordié, aiming to “highlight just some of the immense wealth that Malaysia’s political elite have accumulated” over the years. 

While urging citizens to exercise their vote, the site also questioned whether the nation can be “accurately represented by politicians who flaunt jewellery and clothes worth more than what most Malaysians will ever see in their lifetime”.  

In a move which echoes the “Vote or Die!” campaign launched by musician Sean “Diddy” Combs for the 2020 presidential election in the US, voteordie.shop is riddled with links to politically informational social media postings. 

The links, sneakily listed on its frequently asked questions page by posing as questions one would address to an actual clothes seller, feature online content from popular graphic artist and political satirist Mohd Fahmi Reza Mohd Zarin, online platform Wiki Impact and radio station BFM.

Under a section labelled “What’s the point of even making a purchase? Can’t I just stay home and not participate?”, the website shared an article by a news portal and vox pops of citizens explaining why they will be casting their ballots. 

Malaysians will head to the polls this Saturday. – The Vibes, November 16, 2022