INTRODUCTION

The emergence of digital media in the Malaysia was due to the government's initiative to tap into the information and communications technology (ICT) sector in an effort to open up new economic frontiers. The introduction of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) in 1996 was an attempt to lure world-class multinational technology companies into Malaysia to boost the local digital industry. While this move spearheaded Malaysia into the digital economy, it also set off a chain of events that influenced the political and democratic process. Digital media enabled the opposition and civil society to compete and break the government's monopoly of traditional media—print, television. and radio—by circulating news and information that challenged the official narrative. Furthermore, the MSC's Bill of Guarantees stated that the Malaysian government would not censor the Internet as part of its commitment to provide a conducive environment for the digital economy to develop.

Thus, the entry of digital media into Malaysia enhanced political competition and became a catalyst for political change because it provided alternative news and information. This was evident during the sacking of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Reformasi movement in the late 1990s, with the usage of emails and Usenet newsgroups. Short message service (SMS) was employed in the 2004 general election, while socio-political blogs dominated the 2008 general election. Facebook and other social media such as Twitter were the main forms of political communication in the 2013 general election; in 2018, it was Facebook Live and WhatsApp. Every new iteration of digital technology into the Malaysian ecosystem had an impact on communication in general election campaigns.

IMPACT OF DIGITAL MEDIATIZATION OF POLITICS

Digital mediatization of politics in Malaysia has several consequences, such as cyberattacks and cyberbullying, cybertroopers and propaganda, as well as fake news, disinformation and misinformation.

Cyberattacks and Cyberbullying

Interference with online access, especially to alternative news portals and opposition content, intensifies especially in the run-up to general elections. For example, during the 13th general election in 2013, independent news website Malaysiakini experienced a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack which affected its operations for a period of time. Cyberattacks also occurred in the 14th general election in 2018 when some political candidates found their mobile phones hacked and spammed by calls from the US and UK on polling day.