This commentary explores the dangerous trend of politicians in Malaysia using sensationalism and controversy to gain attention, drawing a parallel to the tactics of P.T. Barnum. The author argues that this approach, while seemingly effective, ultimately undermines Malaysian society by fueling negativity and distracting from important issues.
Editor's note: Malaysiakini has obtained permission to republish this article, which first appeared here.COMMENT | Phineas T Barnum was the owner of a very popular circus. He once said, “Any publicity, whether good or bad, is good publicity”. Barnum ’s point was simple: “Nothing is worse than not being talked about”.You might wonder why I quote the owner of a circus.
Do you not think that what is happening in Malaysia is nothing more than a huge circus - one that even Barnum himself would have envied?Feeding the beastWhat you focus on, grows: you nourish it with your attention.This is the reason why the ancient proverb, “See no evil, speak no evil, and hear no evil” is so great a truism. It is grounded upon five millennia of public relations research.If you apply the Barnum maxim to the tragic national situation, you realise that what you have suspected all along, is true.Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad assiduously practises the Barnum principle. Constantly making controversial jibes, he invites you to pay attention to him. Now, another former prime minister, Najib Abdul Razak, seems to be following in Mahathir's footsteps.Najib, who is currently facing a multitude of charges, seems to be using the same strategy. He makes provocative statements, often targeting his political opponents, even those who have long left the political arena. He knows that any attention, even negative attention, is better than none at all. The media, hungry for sensational stories, lap up these pronouncements, giving Najib the platform he craves. He, like Mahathir, knows that the more people talk about him, the more relevant he appears. The more people engage with his pronouncements, the more power he wields, regardless of the substance behind his words. It is a dangerous game that both Mahathir and Najib are playing. It is a game that feeds on the public's attention and thrives on controversy. It is a game that ultimately undermines the very fabric of Malaysian society. What is the cost of this circus? It is a cost that every Malaysian must pay. It is a cost measured in lost time, lost productivity, and lost faith in our institutions. It is a cost that we can no longer afford to bear. It is time for us to break free from this cycle of negativity and focus on building a better future for Malaysia
POLITICS MALAYSIA CONTROVERSY BARNUM PUBLICITY
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