Don: Media, politicians can stir anger
Andrew OngPublished: May 24, 2008 10:54 AM | Updated: May 24, 2008 11:04 AM
An outpour of anger is expected in Malaysia over the Pulau Batu Puteh issue should the politicians and media react with emotive languages and perspectives, warned Singaporean academic Hussin Mutalib.
An outpour of anger is expected in Malaysia over the Pulau Batu Puteh issue should the politicians and media react with emotive languages and perspectives, warned Singaporean academic Hussin Mutalib.
Commenting on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) deciding in favour of Singapore’s claims over Pulau Batu Puteh yesterday, Hussin expressed worry that should public anger be stoked, it cannot be contained.
He said that this could happen if Malaysian newspapers run front page reports in emotive languages and perspective which does not report the ICJ’s decision in the proper context.
“Then the people’s emotions would be worked up once that is done, there is very little in the context of Malaysian politics, there is very little the government can do to stop those kind of outpouring of anger,” said Hussin, told Singapore daily The Straits Times yesterday.
In addition, Hussin said the Malaysian government is still reeling from the March 8 general election setbacks and the loss of Pulau Batu Puteh could further fuel emotional reactions.
“The context is important. The government is in deep political trouble. There are a lot of issues in post-election Malaysia. Things are not as stable, not as rosy, not as comfortable.
“In that context, when this news comes, their emotions (can) run wild. Again in that hypothetical case, Malaysia is seen to have lost (to Singapore),” added Hussin, who is associate professor at the National University of Singapore political science department.
Strengthen bilateral ties
Local political observer Khoo Kay Peng however dismissed any possibilities that the ICJ decision would have an impact on the government and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
He stressed it was necessary for the government and the press to look beyond the ICJ decision and look towards ways of strengthening bilateral ties.
“Both countries have mutually agreed to have the claims arbitrated by the ICJ. Now, they should look forward instead of playing up social welfare issue on whether people would lose out,” he said.
Hussin’s concern over news reports laced with emotive reactions however did not materialise in Malaysia’s main dailies.
An editorial in the Utusan Melayu urged Malaysians to accept the ICJ decision with an “open heart” and reminded readers that in any court case, a favourable judgment cannot be guaranteed.
“The relationship between the two countries divided by the Tebrau Straits should not be soured by Pulau Batu Puteh. We believe this should not happen to our neighbours,” said the daily, which is linked to the staunch nationalist Umno party.
Another Umno-linked newspaper New Straits Times did not provide an editorial over the issue but reported that the ICJ decision was a “big blow” for fishermen near the area.
Commenting on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) deciding in favour of Singapore’s claims over Pulau Batu Puteh yesterday, Hussin expressed worry that should public anger be stoked, it cannot be contained.
He said that this could happen if Malaysian newspapers run front page reports in emotive languages and perspective which does not report the ICJ’s decision in the proper context. “Then the people’s emotions would be worked up once that is done, there is very little in the context of Malaysian politics, there is very little the government can do to stop those kind of outpouring of anger,” said Hussin, told Singapore daily The Straits Times yesterday.
In addition, Hussin said the Malaysian government is still reeling from the March 8 general election setbacks and the loss of Pulau Batu Puteh could further fuel emotional reactions.
“The context is important. The government is in deep political trouble. There are a lot of issues in post-election Malaysia. Things are not as stable, not as rosy, not as comfortable.
“In that context, when this news comes, their emotions (can) run wild. Again in that hypothetical case, Malaysia is seen to have lost (to Singapore),” added Hussin, who is associate professor at the National University of Singapore political science department.
Strengthen bilateral ties
Local political observer Khoo Kay Peng however dismissed any possibilities that the ICJ decision would have an impact on the government and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. He stressed it was necessary for the government and the press to look beyond the ICJ decision and look towards ways of strengthening bilateral ties.
“Both countries have mutually agreed to have the claims arbitrated by the ICJ. Now, they should look forward instead of playing up social welfare issue on whether people would lose out,” he said.
Hussin’s concern over news reports laced with emotive reactions however did not materialise in Malaysia’s main dailies.
An editorial in the Utusan Melayu urged Malaysians to accept the ICJ decision with an “open heart” and reminded readers that in any court case, a favourable judgment cannot be guaranteed.
“The relationship between the two countries divided by the Tebrau Straits should not be soured by Pulau Batu Puteh. We believe this should not happen to our neighbours,” said the daily, which is linked to the staunch nationalist Umno party.
Another Umno-linked newspaper New Straits Times did not provide an editorial over the issue but reported that the ICJ decision was a “big blow” for fishermen near the area.
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