news feature

It has been a week since the government began airing a controversial political propaganda reel during prime time on the state-run RTM and privately owned TV3 channels.

Despite strong protests from opposition groups, the government has not shown any intention to stop showing the footage which evokes a 'reign of fear' if the opposition, specifically PAS, comes into power.

The 90-second broadcast in Bahasa Malaysia is sandwiched in between news items and presented in a format that suggests it is part of the news.

It kicks off with the scene of a contemporary office where a woman is working, with a male voice-over going, "... [they] forbid beautiful women from working, ban entertainment outlets, and consider the assassination of non-Muslim government members by militant terrorists as sandiwara (staged drama)."

The filmlet next presents images of Al-Ma'unah members who shocked the nation by allegedly disguising themselves as soldiers to steal more than 100 weapons from two military camps in Perak in July 2000. Sixteen of them were recently sentenced to life imprisonment and three face the death penalty.

"These are all reflections of a barbaric government. If this country falls into the hands of extremists and religious militants, it is not impossible that women in this country may face the same fate that befell the Afghan women," continues the voice-over.

A montage of video-clips follows, showing PAS president Fadzil Noor and several party leaders at a function, and scenes of veiled Afghan women and children making their way through the ruins of war.

"Even though they are not in power, they are already curbing the rights and freedom of women as stipulated in the Federal Constitution."

The stern voice of a male narrator continued with his commentary accompanied by clips that showed social unrest, chaos, and pro-reform demonstrations during jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim's trials in 1998 and 1999.

Threats of war

"You will definitely not want a foreign power to come and bomb this country to liberate women and people repressed by militant groups. Let our people free ourselves from fanatical and retrogressive militant groups to avoid any catastrophes."

The footage ends with a Quranic verse from al-Baqarah: "...and cast not yourselves to perdition with your own hands".

The broadcast was initially shown on government channels TV1 and TV2, and subsequently on TV3 which is owned by individuals closely linked to Umno, the largest party in the ruling coalition.

Opposition leaders have urged the government to retract the footage and not abuse the public TV networks in the run-up to the Indera Kayangan by-election scheduled for Jan 19.

DAP national chairperson Lim Kit Siang had criticised the ministry's parliamentary secretary Zainuddin Maidin who said the airing of the video-clip was a "mere coincidence" and had nothing to do with the upcoming by-election.

"Zainuddin seemed to fancy himself as the Joseph Goebbels (World War II Nazi propagandist) of Malaysia and de facto Barisan Nasional propaganda minister," said Lim.

But the government has not backed down on its propaganda campaign despite strong criticism.

Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung said the broadcast was "general information and a news item to the public", while Information Minister Khalil Yaakob said it was relevant to instil awareness among the people on deviationist teachings in the country.

PAS Youth chief Mahfuz Omar yesterday threatened the government with a lawsuit should it not stop the broadcast and apologise for it to all Malaysians.