M.Krishnamoorthy
A media coach, adjunct professor and author
Hate-filled with a powerful narrative, “Government does not support Malays,” is a wild rumour that critics and extremists are obsessed with.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim debunked the rumour about little Malay support in a TV3 interview on his first anniversary in office.
The opposition has given the impression that Putrajaya needs to prioritise issues concerning the Malay community.
Anwar admitted that his unity government did not have the backing of a majority of Malays due to accusations that his administration was not “Malay or Islamic” enough.
“This is all because of a perception created due to gutter politics by the opposition who gave the impression that the government was not prioritising issues concerning the Malay community. There is some truth to it (that Malays were not supporting the government), but it is because they have been bombarded with the claims that the government isn’t Malay and is against Islam.
“And this is a repulsive lie. Politics should be based on facts and figures,” he said in a televised interview with TV3 on 5th December 2023.
Anwar also admitted that it was difficult to counter such narratives, which had the potential to divide the country.
On the eve of the six state polls in August, FMT reported that Anwar, who is Pakatan Harapan chairman, downplayed a survey that claimed that he only had 24% of Malay support.
He said the think tank Ilham Centre survey was “flawed” and that it probably took data from Kelantan and compared it with Selangor.
Following the outcome of the state polls, Anwar said Malay voters could not be blamed for voting for Perikatan Nasional as they were easily influenced by the narrative that DAP would come to power if PH won.
However, he also admitted that the government should improve its communications when addressing such sensitive issues, the New Straits Times reported.
"It is not easy when speaking about religion. But I find it strange that there are parties which claim they can guarantee heaven if they follow them.”
"This is as if our efforts were invisible," he added.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, associate professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns going undercover as a beggar, security guard, blind man, disabled salesman and Member of Parliament.
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