AZALINA: FAKE CROWD PICTURES AT RALLIES AN OPPOSITION TACTIC TO DUPE FENCE-SITTERS

Sharing fake pictures of crowds at ceramah shows opposition desperate to win support, says Azalina

THE move by the opposition to distribute fake pictures of crowds at its ceramah is part of a psychological war to scare fencesitters.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said it was a desperate measure by the opposition to show that it had support of the people.

“I have come to the conclusion that there is a psychological war to instil fear in voters, especially fence-sitters.

“The opposition wants to portray a situation where it has gained mass support and that the government has been weakened,” she said after the launch of a meet-the-leader programme for businesswomen and single mothers in Taman Bayu Damai, Pengerang, yesterday.

She was commenting on opposition leaders sharing these images about its ceramah.

She said the opposition resorted to this tactic as a desperate attempt to attract supporters.

“There is no need to distribute pictures if the opposition is confident of the people’s support. I was shocked to learn about this.

“One picture, supposedly taken in Putrajaya, showed a huge turnout.

“The leaders even streamed the ceramah on Facebook live.

“When we investigated, it was found that most attendees were Chinese and they were outsiders brought in for the ceramah.

“In reality, the Chinese make up less than 60 per cent of voters in Putrajaya.”

She said the opposition made use of the light from mobile phones.

“In the right lighting, you can show a picture of a large crowd. Big turnout or otherwise, let the people decide (through the election). Why should we resort to psychological war to instil fear?”

In Sungai Siput, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir told the people not to be fooled by pictures of crowds at the opposition’s ceramah circulated on social media.

He said this was part of its propaganda to create fear among the voters.

“Do not be afraid even when pressured by them.

I have come to the conclusion that there is a psychological war to instil fear in voters, especially fence-sitters.

The opposition wants to portray a situation where it has gained mass support.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department

“They painted a picture of strong support based on the number of attendees at their ceramah. But, we know that the photos are fake.

“They did that to create propaganda and woo us by claiming that thousands of people throng their events.

“They turned 5,000 people into 50,000 people, 2,000 people into 20,000 people.”

Zambry, who is Perak Barisan Nasional chairman, said this during the “Hebatkan Negaraku” gathering at the Sungai Siput Convention Centre yesterday, which was attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

“This is propaganda by the opposition. What is more important is that BN members should not be afraid of its games. We need to gather our strength and show our spirit right up to voting day on May 9 to ensure a BN victory.

“We are working hard and will continue with our fight. Don’t be afraid. I want to tell you that if we are on the battlefield, we should call ourselves fighters and we must always be prepared.”