During the elections, discriminatory and hateful campaign rhetoric flooded various social media platforms, with TikTok even saying that it was on “high-alert.” These kinds of narratives have caused division in Malaysian society and results in the further marginalization of vulnerable and minority groups.
APHR notes with concern that the spread of divisive narratives is further exacerbated by the reach of social media platforms. In Malaysia, and globally, these phenomena are undermining democracy, public institutions, social cohesion, and stability.