‘OPPOSITION CREATING VICTORY ILLUSION’

Cybertroopers making it look as if opposition has won GE14, says Ti

THE DAP-led opposition pact’s cybertroopers are working overtime to create a perception of victory, and this is only expected to increase on polling day.

MCA spokesman Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said there was a disconnect between reality and perception for the opposition, and this was clear in the psychological warfare being waged by them.

“With the nation going to polls (today), we are beginning to see DAP-led Pakatan Harapan’s psywar (being taken) a notch higher with their fake news and tsunami fitnah (slander) being spread all over social media.

“We have to admit that (the opposition) is doing very well in creating a perception of victory in the online sphere. Their cybertroopers are working overtime to create graphics, memes and videos to dupe the rakyat of the supposed wind of change.

“These online messages are backed with photographs and videos of huge crowds at their ceramah, especially those attended by the top honcho (Tun) Dr Mahathir Mohamad and new recruits such as (Tan Sri) Rafidah Aziz and (Tun) Daim Zainuddin.

“Then, these (opposition) leaders beat their chest to proudly proclaim that the number of people at their political talks are akin to them winning the 14th General Election. They must be delusional to believe their own lies!”

Ti said there were two points which must be noted, the first being that the opposition’s online campaign was based on “lies, hatred and slander”, and was part of their psy-war campaign to influence the voters.

Secondly, he said, the opposition wanted to portray that the huge turnout at their political talks meant the people’s support was swinging to their favour.

“The reality, however, is different. (They) seem to be suffering from a disconnect between reality and virtual perception.

“The truth is that the reality on the ground is different from what is being portrayed by them in social media and online. The situation on the ground is less intense with people not hitting out at each other as they are doing online due to the opposition’s robust online tsunami fitnah.

“At the same time, Dr Mahathir and other leaders have been crowing about the impending Malay tsunami which will swing in their favour.

“For those who have been campaigning on the ground, especially in the rural areas, this Malay tsunami swing is unlikely to happen. The opposition’s lies and psy-war on this issue is not creating waves at all.”

Ti said it appeared as though Dr Mahathir, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and others in the opposition pact had realised this too, as Lim seemed to be keeping a low profile.

He said the opposition had simply failed to realise that a big chunk of Malay support abandoned them when Pas left the pact.

“Dr Mahathir is aware of this. He is aware of the losing battle of perception which they started in the social media. He is aware that they have underestimated people’s wit and wisdom.

“Sharing and liking online posts which lie against and mock Barisan Nasional and its leaders do not mean people would automatically cross the ‘eye’ symbol! Ultimately, the people will realise the hard work by the BN government is actually good for the nation and the people, which it will continue to do given the mandate in GE14.”

Ti said Dr Mahathir knew this, which he claimed was why the former prime minister was resorting to making up excuses for the opposition pact’s defeat even before polling day, as well as alleging that BN and Umno would not surrender power.

“What is clear is this... Dr Mahathir is preparing himself for a defeat by giving this narrative.”