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farfarahleeya · 7 months

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The "rojak" fusion of politics and social media has birthed a new era of political engagement... so, how goes the digital engagement of politics in Malaysia? Let's dive in!

The First Wave

photo from University Archives

Much like most internet cultures, the political genre's internet behaviour evolved from its preceding analogue or traditional media. Decades ago, political figures relied heavily on more traditional forms of media to reach the public and run their election campaigns. Radio broadcasts provided a means of broadcasting speeches, policy discussions, and political advertisements, while television commercials offered a visually engaging platform for conveying their messages. Physical merchandise, including campaign badges, banners, and yard signs, allowed politicians to make their presence felt in local communities and rally support among their followers.

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U.S. Politician, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

However, with the digital age came a shift in the way political engagement is conducted. Today, political figures leverage the power of social media platforms to connect with the public and promote their causes. They create content on platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, instantly reaching a global audience. Hashtags have also become a prominent tool in their content, allowing them to express their message and trigger discussions about it.

One striking example of this transition is the infamous #MakeAmericaGreatAgain hashtag, popularised by the former U.S. President, Donald Trump. Although initially targeting the USA specifically, this hashtag quickly sparked worldwide attention and discussions. On that note, check out the link above to see how celebrities engaged with the US president's election, even if they weren't US nationals. These reactions demonstrate the global reach and influence of digital political engagement.

The Malaysian Take

Conversations about Malaysia's digital political engagement often revolve around prominent figures, with Syed Saddiq and Khairy Jamaluddin undeniably among the most associated politicians.

┏━━━ Syed Saddiq ━━━┓

Photo from Bernama via Free Malaysia Today

Syed Saddiq is a 30-year-old Malaysian politician who has made a significant mark in the political arena. He first gained widespread recognition when he became the youngest Minister of Youth and Sports in Malaysian history at the tender age of 25 (Straits Time 2018). Since then, he has passionately engaged with and addressed the concerns of Malaysia's youth population, using his political power to advocate for their well-being and empowerment. His commitment to nurturing the potential of the younger generation has earned him a reputation as a dynamic and forward-thinking leader.

a screenshot of Syed Saddiq's TikTok account

Syed Saddiq harnesses the power of social media as a platform to connect with digital citizens in Malaysia. His social media presence is characterised by a unique blend of professional and casual content. On one hand, he shares thought-provoking insights on political issues, often posting snippets of his parliamentary speeches, providing a transparent window into his role as a legislator. On the other hand, his feed is adorned with glimpses of his everyday life, whether it's capturing his adventures in the great outdoors, such as hiking, or sharing heartwarming videos of his beloved feline companion. This eclectic mix of content makes him appear as a relatable, down-to-earth individual, resonating with ordinary citizens and especially the youth who spend a significant portion of their time on the internet. Syed Saddiq's online presence goes beyond what's expected of politicians, making him both informative and very likable.

┏━━━ Khairy Jamaluddin // KJ ━━━┓

Photo from The Star

Khairy Jamaluddin (KJ) is a Malaysian politician and entrepreneur who served as the Health Minister in the Malaysian Cabinet. The 47 year old has extensive experience in government administration, legislative representation, policy research, finance, military leadership, and party politics. KJ gained significant recognition during the country's management of COVID-19 . Recognising that most people were online during that time, he cleverly used the internet to educate and inform the public about the pandemic through his social media platforms. With this strategy, he successfully conveyed crucial information to the people of Malaysia and played a significant role in the country's efforts to address the outbreak.

a screenshot of KJ's TikTok account

After being dismissed from UMNO due to an alleged party discipline breach in January, Khairy Jamaluddin launched the podcast "Keluar Sekejap" or "Out for a Bit" (Chua 2018). This podcast reflects his temporary departure from traditional politics but continues to engage with political issues and more. Some episodes focus on sports, a subject he's passionate about as a former Minister of Youth and Sports. The podcast also provides KJ with a platform to express how the break has helped him recover from the physical and mental toll of his previous job. On social media, KJ promotes the podcast's political elements and shares relatable content, such as decoding Generation Z's slang. Like Syed Saddiq, KJ's social media strategy endears him to digital citizens, showcasing his adaptability and connection to the modern world.

The Lasting Effects

In the past, politicians interacted with the public through rallies and conferences. Today, digital platforms like social media have transformed this interaction. Politicians now use hashtags and comments to engage with a wider, global audience. This digital culture fosters a more balanced dialogue where politicians are met with both support and criticism. Take, for example, former Prime Minister Mahathir's posts; he receives both praise and critique. This reflects the diverse perspectives of digital citizens who recognize that politics and public figures are complex, and opinions can vary widely in the modern world.

︵‿︵‿ References ‿︵‿︵

Chua, D 2023, #Showbiz: Khairy, Shahril to have new political podcast, New Straits Times, 17 February, viewed 6 October 2023, <https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2023/02/880749/showbiz-khairy-shahril-have-new-political-podcast>.

Straits Times 2018, Syed Saddiq is Malaysia's new Youth and Sports Minister and youngest-ever Cabinet member at 25, The Straits Times Asia, 2 July, viewed 6 October 2023, <https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/syed-saddiq-is-malaysias-new-youth-and-sports-minister-and-youngest-ever-cabinet-member>.

#MDA20009 #week 5 #digitalpolitics #malaysia

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yoleqr · 1 year

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repetition ♾️ #ai26 #aiart #virtualart #cyberart #dalle #midjourney #stablediffusion #nightcafestudio #contemporaryphotography #photography #experimentalphotography #landscape #landscapephotography #ai #artificialintelligence #aesthetics #digitalpolitics #explore #aiartcommunity #caracas #venezuela (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn5QgaSIN-U/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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usnewsper-politics · 4 months

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New Tech Company Aims to Help Republicans Win with Cutting-Edge Tools #2022midtermelections #accurateinformation #battlegroundstates #conservativetechcompany #cuttingedgetechnologies #digitalpolitics #ElectionVision #erosionoftrust #futureelections. #machinelearningalgorithms #microtargetingvoters #politicaltechnology #Republicancandidates #socialmediamonitoring #swingstateelectionlosses #technologyanddatausage #transparency #wealthydonors

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derdiedada · 4 years

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The conservative revolution will have a follow-up #revolution dada made with ♥️ by derdiedada cllc.tv // #soberlin since 2005 // follow us and we will hop onto the citadel // link in bio for the victory! #thecreatart #surreal42 #thecreativers #edit_grams #beyondsurreal #collage_expo #c_expo #collage_guild #derdiedada #artist #photography #digitalcollage #videocollage #collage #collageartists #collageart #collagestash #collagecollectiveco #collagework #collageart #arte #creative #myart #surrealist #surrealism #instagood #instaart #cdu #digitalpolitics (at Berlin, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDzqfMlKgV4/?igshid=ezcmf2xurqxk

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necsocial-amandabiundo-blog-blog · 9 years

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Final project for my Social Media course.

#DigitalPolitics #NECSocial

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jimmyatnec-blog · 9 years

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Here is a link to my final project on candidate Rand Paul

#NecSocial #DigitalPolitics

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digitalpolitics-blog · 11 years

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Social Government at its finest. A conversation a la Mayor @corybooker #digitalpolitics #howitshouldbe

#howitshouldbe #digitalpolitics

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yoleqr · 1 year

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Last variation of a baroque portrait of a woman in a white dress and medium length curly hair, in the middle of a room but without a golden cup 🏆 Variations #ai31 • #aiart #virtualart #cyberart #dalle #midjourney #stablediffusion #nightcafestudio #contemporaryphotography #photography #experimentalphotography #selfportraitphotography #selfportrait #selfienation #ai #artificialintelligence #aesthetics #digitalpolitics #explore #aiartcommunity (at London) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoFss3SPwhY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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yoleqr · 1 year

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Baroque portrait of a woman in a white dress and medium length curly hair, in the middle of a room holding another golden cup 🏆 Variations #ai28 • #aiart #virtualart #cyberart #dalle #midjourney #stablediffusion #nightcafestudio #contemporaryphotography #photography #experimentalphotography #selfportraitphotography #selfportrait #selfienation #ai #artificialintelligence #aesthetics #digitalpolitics #explore #aiartcommunity (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn9qtgdIUjI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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yoleqr · 1 year

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Baroque portrait of a woman with a white dress and medium length curly hair, in the middle of a room holding a golden cup 🏆 #ai27 • #aiart #virtualart #cyberart #dalle #midjourney #stablediffusion #nightcafestudio #contemporaryphotography #photography #experimentalphotography #selfportraitphotography #selfportrait #selfienation #ai #artificialintelligence #aesthetics #digitalpolitics #explore #aiartcommunity (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn7jWXIITw3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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yoleqr · 1 year

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repetition ♾️ #ai23 #aiart #virtualart #cyberart #dalle #midjourney #stablediffusion #nightcafestudio #contemporaryphotography #photography #experimentalphotography #landscape #landscapephotography #ai #artificialintelligence #aesthetics #digitalpolitics #explore #aiartcommunity #caracas #venezuela (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnxWYb9oi99/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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yoleqr · 1 year

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Verso 🟣 #ai12 • #aiart #virtualart #cyberart #dalle #midjourney #stablediffusion #nightcafestudio #contemporaryphotography #photography #experimentalphotography #selfportrait #ai #artificialintelligence #aesthetics #digitalpolitics #explore #aiartcommunity (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnVBvp3I1To/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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