NO WONDER IGP, EC RUSHED TO TEAR DOWN 'CINA BABI', '1MDB COVER-UP' BILLBOARDS

Billboards are important tools for influencing public opinion. Forbes said in an article published in October 2011: “outdoor advertising does work, at least in the sense that people A) notice it and B) are influenced by it to some degree.”

That article concluded with these words: “[Outdoor advertising] done right … conveys a message in an entertaining or clever manner …”

So, it is no surprise that political parties put up billboards to convey their messages.

The fanciest billboard I’ve seen spans the entire facade of the Umno building in Jalan Putra, Kuala Lumpur, every night. It is claimed to be visible from 10km.

Consistent with the values of a race-based party, that Umno billboard conflates 1Malaysia with 1Malay.

Next to the Umno building is the PWTC building where, in April 2008, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein brandished and kissed the Umno keris – an act which non-Malays viewed as a threat against them. Analysts believe Hishammuddin’s keris waving was one of the factors which caused BN to lose its two-thirds majority in Parliament in the following month.

I’m considering billboards because of news reports that the Election Commission dismantled billboards put up in Sungai Besar by the DAP this week in conjunction with the by-election there.

One billboard depicted the heads of (the so-called Islamic party) PAS, the Chinese party, MCA and Umno. The background showed Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, the head of PAS, holding a giant keris at a just-concluded meeting of PAS. The message, in Malay, was “BN, PAS One Heart One Soul, Racist and Corrupt One and All”.

Another billboard reminded the public of words attributed to Umno leader Datuk Jamal Yunos, who spearheaded the Umno/Government-endorsed red shirts rally in September 2015 which turned violent: “it is not wrong to call Chinese pigs.”

The Election Commission which pleads powerlessness in the face of blatant abuses of regulations by the governing coalition during elections, suddenly found the power to dismantle the billboards. As of 6:15 pm on Thursday, there was nothing on the EC’s website to explain why it did so.

According to a report by Malay Mail Online, the Inspector General of Police said “the police will investigate the incidence of billboards and banners with provocative content”.

What’s acceptable on billboards put up by political parties? Would a clown-like or a devil-like depiction of a candidate be acceptable? Who decides? Also, how about the word pictures candidates use to represent their opponents?

Candidates must engage voters. They must convince voters to vote for them. They must present policies and moral issues in arresting ways. But how far can they go?

Candidates must be clear about the role of the position they are running for, their personal goals in terms of service to the nation and the constraints upon them.

Candidates must observe decorum. They should exhibit good taste and politeness. Candidates must not shy away from presenting hard truths in arresting ways.

Candidates should be examples of good neighbours. They should strive to be truthful and solution-oriented. They should also be respectful both of their opponents and others.

John Newton (1725-1807), a slave ship captain who became a Christian Minister and hymn writer, once gave some advice to a friend who wished to criticise another Minister on some points. Newton said he agreed with the criticism, but was concerned that the manner in which it was offered may make it ineffective.

Newton advised his friend to ponder three things.

First, “though you may find it necessary to oppose his errors, view him personally as a kindred soul …”

Second, “if our zeal for the truth is contradicted by expressions of anger, invective, or scorn, we may think we are doing service in the cause of truth, when in reality we shall only bring it into discredit.”

Third, “if we act in a wrong spirit, we shall bring little glory to God, do little good to our fellow creatures, and procure neither honour nor comfort to ourselves.”

I do not find the now-removed billboards untruthful or provocative. I do find them distasteful. How about you?

- http://www.theheatmalaysia.com/