KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 — Twitter users opposed to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement mostly fear American imperialism and believe that US President Barack Obama is the “Dajjal” (Antichrist), according to a recent study.
The survey by social media researcher Politweet done between January 18 and February 8 this year on 600 Twitter users in Malaysia also showed that 83 per cent did not support the US-led Pacific free trade treaty, which Malaysia signed after getting approval from the Dewan Rakyat.
Fear of colonisation by a foreign power and the loss of Malaysia’s sovereign rights was the most common reason for objecting to the TPP, cited by about 51 per cent of anti-TPP Twitter users.
“A minority considered the TPP to be part of a Jewish/Israeli agenda,” said the Politweet survey sent to Malay Mail Online.
About 35 per cent of anti-TPP Twitter users believed in what the survey dubbed as “exaggerated fears or propaganda”.
Among such exaggerated fears and propaganda expressed was the belief that Obama is the “Dajjal” or that America represents the “Dajjal.”
Twitter users also expressed beliefs that the TPP would lead to the “guaranteed” closure of small and medium-sized enterprises, high unemployment, and the erosion of so-called Bumiputera rights. Anti-TPP propaganda included inflating figures to say that medicine prices would go up by “1,000 per cent”.
The other reason cited for opposing the TPP was concern about foreign workers and about Malaysia’s ability to compete with trade partners, especially with larger economies that will have greater production volumes.
They also said it would be harder for Malaysians to find employment as foreign workers would accept lower wages or were more qualified for professional jobs. Twitter users disapproved of foreign workers having “equal rights” and the right to lead unions.
Twitter users expressed other reasons for opposing the TPP, namely distrust of the government and Barisan Nasional (BN), concern over medicine price increases, as well as believing that the free trade treaty, like the Goods and Services Tax (GST), would affect the cost of living.
About nine per cent of anti-TPP Twitter users also cited Islamic reasons for rejecting the treaty involving 12 nations in the Pacific, such as believing that halal certification would be removed and that Islamic laws would no longer apply in Malaysia.
“The need for simple arguments created problems for pro-TPP campaigners,” Politweet said, noting that an anonymous person was perceived as having greater authority than the government or the media.
The Politweet survey comprised young people aged between 18 and 30 years old, about 86 per cent of whom were Bahasa Malaysia speakers. About nine per cent were English speakers.
Although Malaysia has signed the TPP, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said last month that the treaty would not work out if Donald Trump, who is against the TPP, becomes the next US president and pulls the superpower out of the deal.
