As a pivotal general election looms in Malaysia, online social media tools are playing a prominent role in challenging the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition’s overwhelming dominance of traditional print and broadcast media.
Election campaigning took a Gangnam Style-twist on February 11 when popular South Korean musician Psy staged a live concert in Penang. BN Politicians who hoped to gain a popular boost from the global singing and dancing sensation, however, lost more face than they gained, underscoring the growing power of social media to influence public opinion.
Seeking favor with youth and ethnic Chinese voters, the BN coalition invited Psy to perform during Lunar New Year celebrations held in Penang. The concert was strategically held at the Han Chiang College, the same venue where the opposition Democratic Action Party held a mass rally just days before sweeping to power in the state at the 2008 general election.
Federal level BN politicians likely thought they had pulled off a local electoral coup by securing Psy’s presence at a free open house event organized by the Malaysian Chinese Association, a BN component party. Both the open house celebration and PSY’s performance were advertised widely on BN-aligned television stations and newspapers. Elections must be held by June but have not yet been officially called.
Full article in Asia Times Online
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What is the turn out rate for Penang DAP chinese new years open house celebration? Compare to the last 4 years, this year where the election is approaching, the turn out of about 3000 people at Time Square should be an indication of the supports towards Lim Guan Eng. If Lim Guan Eng still remain the candidate for Penang CM, you will see a real gangnam style twist for UBAH! Alert by the poor turn out rate in majority of the CNYopen house celebrations, DAP now start to disassociate itself with all the cybertroopers that went all out to attack… Read more »
@Jen: Malaysia need less enemy than everyone. Do you want Palestine vs Israel style or WTO 911 style ??? Please grow up. Not everything anti-BN is correct and good to pakatan or any Malaysians.
We need transformasi and not reformasi + baling kerusi !!!
Yes, transformasi for something that has been perfect for 55 years.
Do you know why the government is so friendly to the gunmen from the philippines?
Answer: because BN need their votes in Sabah!
Najib’s advisers certainly did make a mess of things by failing to inform him that the name of the concert venue was the Han Chiang Chinese school ground and not “Han Yang”, thus causing him to be booed several times by the crowd due to mispronunciation. Failing to get Psy to come on stage for the “yee sang” do was worst as it was obvious for all to see because the master of ceremonies had called Psy’s name several times. And of course asking the crowd whether it was were ready for BN was certainly a bone-headed move because it… Read more »
Yee Sang must be conducted on round table to signify togetherness. BN is ill advised or possibly sabotaged to have that ceremony done on rectangular table which will not promote any good vibes. Gerakan is too dumb to forgo chinese tradition in its effort to please Umno on stage.
I have to disagree. I think that Najib’s advisers have done a splendid work by diverting Pakatan and supporters from the real issues. The poor poor turn out rate at Pakatan CNY open house celebration.The last 4 years especially in Penang more than 10,000 people turned up to celebrate with their idol. Now 3000 only and you are not even worry! People are fed up with all the stupid politicking which bring no benefit to them. They are alert by the way our money are being used to bribe the voters whether by BN or Lim Guan Eng. Lim Guan… Read more »
It was reported that 7.2 million Rakyat qualified for BR1M 2.0. Taking into account that some of them have dependants, the total beneficiaries will be about 12 million Rakyat or nearly 50% of Malaysia’s population! You mean BN delivered over 55 years 50% of Rakyat earning below RM3,000 a month?
Blocking an Aussie Senator, an observer for fair election. This is outrageous! Why hasn’t someone call for arrests to face charges, arrests of Dr MM, PM, Home Minster, MACC Chief for (other wrongdoings) for decades. They are destroying the Country, undermining the people, their wealth & well-being. Come on Malaysians you have more brain and brawn than this! Don’t be a laughing stock to the world.
Yes yes pure entertainment but politicizing. Are you with BN. Come on why BN when its only for entertainment. You thing we are all fools. The cheap and Teng has been taken for a ride and become a fool by the psy now they want to use that to fool the people of Penang.
According to the Chinese say, if GilaKAN Teng and Wong has just keep quiet nobody would have thought they are dumb. And now we know they are really all dumb just like Ah Cheap Kor
If Penang BN chief Teng Chang Yeow is not capable of being honest in the imminent threats of Psy’s life, he is not entitled to make any public statements as he has lost credibility. it’s no surprise that Psy wasn’t willing to share the same platform with crooks, lairs. Even he can see through the hypocrisy of the Umno/BN leaders. What a pitiful sight to see the PM having to wait for a good 10 minutes on stage only to be declined.
The one who is real dumb, is proven to be the cyber-troopers. Now DAP want to disassociate with the cyber-troopers. Why wasting your time laughing at bn WHEN YOU SHOULD BE ALERT BY THE POOR TURN OUT at MAJORITY OF THE pakatan’s CNY open house celebration. The Bangsar’s CNY open house only had less than 300 people attending. Wake up and be serious for your own survival. You guy seem to think the election will be coming next year, plenty of time to waste and fool around. I really have no eyes to see. Vote for change not Guan Eng.
Gk : Just like the Cheat & Cheap and their sycophants from Gilakan, MIC, MCA and PPP you are in a state of denial and keep on coming out with lies and deceits. Yes, Psy was here purely for enterianment purpose but the cheap … was trying to use the occassion to politize Are you with BN but back fired. And they come out with lies after lies and deceits after deceits trying to deceive the people that it was Yes and not No and that Psy was in danger but he was dining …. after that. So Psy was… Read more »
I have read the article and my responses below. Anil: “lost more face than they gained” GK: During emergency also care for face ??? Saving your life first !!! There was life threatening situation as reported !!! Still want to toss things kah ??? Anil: “Seeking favor with youth and ethnic Chinese voters” GK: so racist in you, anil. I saw multiracial in that event. What you say ??? Anil: “Gangnam Style dance is actually a parody of the high-flying ways of the wealthy elite in Seoul’s Gangnam district” GK: Anil, you have assumed too much. Psy invited just because… Read more »
Teng Chang Yeow has demonstrated that he is better than KSK in spinning lies in the death threat story. He should apologise as police has denied such thing.
Teng cannot understand the Gen Y, as he admited he did not know who Justin Bieber was. He is really outdated in thinking and is not current enough to lead Penang, let alone Gerakan in Penang.
Any remaining trust in Gerakan has evaporated with Teng spinning lies.
You are spot on! Can’t agree more, you said it all, darren!
Teng Chang Yeow says Penang Barisan Nasional wants to reach out through social media……hahaha his own FB page got only 382 likes!
http://www.facebook.com/TengChangYeow
Teng Chang Yeow promises a street food museum if he become CM of penang.
Not sure if Tunglang is tempted to vote for him.
Wah, long comment from doctor spin and fortune teller. Pay increase ke?
If Anil was pro pakatan, you wouldn’t agree with him when he reports negatively on Penang. Even the Star sees fit to publish his entries when it suits their agenda.
Face it Gherks, everyone who is anti bn to you is pro pakatan.
Some of us have brains. The question is do you?
The voting public would have decided by now who to vote for, the corrupted to the core, arrogant and racist UMNO/BN or the Opposition parties vying to change the political landscape with a more vibrant, people oriented, transparent and accountable government as has been proven in Penang and Selangor by Pakatan Rakyat. Pakatan Rakyat has its flaws and shortcomings because some of the leaders have their roots with UMNO/BN. They are tainted but whether they have changed for the better, redeemed their integrity and are willing to totally sever all their ties with UMNO/BN is yet to be seen. It… Read more »