Lim Kit Siang, who urged all Malaysians to watch the documentary film "M for Malaysia", reiterated his concern over the widespread circulation of fake news and hate speeches to divide the nation.

“Spreading lies, falsehoods, fake news and hate speech to create racial and religious tension and conflagration is now regarded as the only way for thieves, kleptocrats and liars to recapture power in Malaysia,” he said.

Similar to the last two parliamentary meetings when fake news surfaced regarding attempts to push forth no-confidence motions against Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the DAP veteran said the coming budget parliamentary meeting starting on Oct 7 would be no exception.

“I expect soon to read juicy reports about non-existent conspiracies involving Pakatan Harapan members of Parliament plotting to move a 'no-confidence' motion against Mahathir when the forthcoming parliamentary budget meeting nears,” he added.

According to Lim, political opportunists are also becoming desperate to the point of predicting racial riots in Malaysia at the end of the year.

“They hope that the 'hothouse' atmosphere in the social media over race and religious polarisation would spread from the Internet to real-life Malaysia,” he added.

Against this backdrop, Lim said the 90-minute documentary film directed and produced by Dian Lee and Ineza Roussille, who is Mahathir's granddaughter, served as a powerful antidote against fake news and hate speech.

He pointed out that the film, which chronicles Harapan's historic win in the last general election, also laid to rest that May 9, 2018, was a Chinese plot to seize political power from the Malays.

Najib 'pedlar-in-chief of fake news'

Singling out former premier Najib Abdul Razak, Lim described him as the “pedlar-in-chief” of fake news and hate speech.

“Who will forget what Najib said on the eve of the 14th general election when he said that there were no Malays at Harapan ceramah.

“And that the tens of thousands who gathered to hear Mahathir in the various parts of the country were DAP supporters 'bussed in, when the Special Branch and the various intelligence agencies of the government should know that in its 52-year history, DAP had never bussed anyone to any DAP or Harapan function,” he added.

Lim said "M for Malaysia" would remind Malaysians that the crowds at the ceramah were representative of all races.

“Every Malaysian should watch the "M for Malaysia" for this would be the most effective way to prove wrong the political opportunists and desperados who expect racial riots at the end of the year, for the film is an antidote to the lie and falsehood that the Malays have lost power to the Chinese in Malaysia,” he added.

After watching the premiere with his wife Dr Siti Hasmah Ali last night, Mahathir said the film documents the journey of the formation of a New Malaysia.

"I think this movie is a true story that doesn't just tell a story of one side. It is a lesson for everyone about the importance of being able to accept criticism," he said.

However, the euphoria surrounding Harapan's victory has since turned to disappointment for a substantial number of Malaysians due to the coalition failing to deliver many of its promises as well as the unpopularity of some of its policies and decisions.

With the continuous fanning of racial and religious sentiments, the coalition is forced to walk a tightrope with regard to appeasing both the Malay-Muslim and non-Malay/non-Muslim voters.

Despite Mahathir's repeated assurance that he would step down within two years and pass the baton to his designated successor, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, speculation has been rife that this would not materialise.

During the national economic forum last month, attendees had complained that excessive politicking is distracting the government from focusing on important matters.

Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) president Tan Cheng Kiat, who was one of the panellists, emphasised the importance of a clear succession plan with regard to the prime minister's position to provide clarity and certainty to the business community to plan ahead.

“But with the politicking that has been going on within the ruling government, it is certainly causing a lot of anxiety,” he had added.