After Tun M, Somebody Wants Najib Dead Too

After Tun M, Somebody Wants Najib Dead Too By FARAH HARITH (farah.harith@malaysiandigest.com)

inShare 32 Comments The mock altar photo has been circulating on social media sites depicting Datuk Seri Najib Razak as 'deceased'KUALA LUMPUR: With one week of campaigning left before Malaysians cast their votes for the 13th general election (GE13) this May 5, crude methods of attracting voters are being unleashed in a no-holds-barred manner. The most recent one is an attempt at disparaging the image of Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Several photos of an altar with candles, joss sticks, as well as hell notes (Chinese currency for the dead) placed near Najib's image, is being circulated on social networks. Another 'altar' picture, this time complete with hell notes, a pack of cigarettes and a beer canMCA Young Professionals Bureau chief Datuk Chua Tee Yong, when contacted by Malaysian Digest said that the altar portrayed in the photos is a Chinese custom that signifies a person's demise. Chua condemned the practice of tarnishing Najib's image in such a manner saying it was distasteful and disrespectful. He said he has seen the photos himself and expressed deep sadness that political campaigning has gone to such an ugly extreme. "Everyone has a different political stand and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but do not use social media as a hub for behaving in a bad manner," he said. "Wait for May 5. Say it with your votes," Chua told MD. Chua who will be defending the Labis Parliamentary seat this coming GE13 said that this kind of hate politics can escalate to violence and should be avoided. He urges the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to investigate and act againts those involved. "I know it is difficult to shut down some of these social media accounts responsible for distributing these photos, but something has to be done before matters get out of hand," he said. Datuk Chua Tee Yong showing the 'altar' photo which he too received via messaging app, Whatsapp. Pic: The StarChua added that hate politics became worse after the 2008 general election, when the opposition began putting forth the idea of a two-party system. "This has evolved into hate campaigns," he added. The photos may cause anger amongst Malay voters from both political divide including fence-sitters as it is a jibe that not only is offensive to Najib but also the Muslim faith. Meanwhile, Chua cited another example of 'false advertising' being used in party campaigns. A photo of Perak royalty, Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah and a quote from one of his speeches, has been made to look as though he endorses opposition party, PAS. In a statement given last March, the crown prince of Perak was disappointed that his speech and its content has been manipulated for political gain. He reiterated that the palace should not, for whatever reason, be dragged into the trenches of party politics. PAS has been using several quotes made by His Royal Highness, taken out of context to denote his support and alleged endorsement of the opposition party. The quote by Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah has been taken out of context and has incurred the crown prince's displeasure"As a concerned person, it is my hope that everyone exercises restrain," Chua added. Earlier, another 'death' jibe was made by Opposition leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, targeted at former Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. In a campaign speech at Kampung Abdullah in Segamat, Johor last Wednesday, Anwar called on Mahathir to 'just die' instead of campaigning for Barisan Nasional (BN). "Sudah mau mati, dah 83 tahun. Berapa la lama lagi? Kalau dah nak mati, mati saja lah," Anwar said. ("It's almost time for him to die, at 83 years old. How long more? If you are going to die, just die.") The New Straits Times reported that when asked to comment on Anwar's remarks, Mahathir said that the former deputy Prime Minister was merely exercising his rights of freedom of speech. http://www.malaysiandigest.com/top-news/328561-after-tun-m-somebody-wants-najib-dead-too.html --mD