THE debate over the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community has taken centre-stage in the media but it is barely being talked about among a majority of Malaysians.

In the digital world, cost-of-living issues and the economy are the top most concerns among a majority of Bahasa Malaysia- and English-speaking Malaysians, according to data analytics firm Eastern Analytica.

It is these concerns that the new Pakatan Harapan government should pay heed to as it crosses the 100-day milestone, said Nor Zachy Fernandez of Eastern Analytica.

The firm advised the PH campaign in the 14th general election and provided it with assessments on the mood on the ground towards the coalition.

It does this through its sentiment analyser tool, which listens to and interprets what people are saying on the internet and social media.

In GE14, it predicted that PH would win 54.9% of parliamentary seats. This was based on the level of engagement of voters towards PH in all 222 seats.

Post-GE14, Eastern Analytica also measured what people are saying in the digital world over the past two months and what are the hot topics of the day.

“If the LGBTQ issue was really important to most Malaysians and they were talking about it in the coffee shops, this would register in the online space but currently it’s not,” Nor Zachy told The Malaysian Insight.

“The biggest thing being talked about currently are the prices of goods and how people are trying to get by.

“High cost of living is the top issue among Malaysians in every state from the north to the east coast, to Selangor and to Johor. People want to see measures taken in that direction.  

“So, the government should prioritise dealing with cost-of-living and economic issues.”

PH’s 100 days in office have seen it contend with a variety of socio-political issues and the problem of government coffers depleted by the excesses of the previous Barisan Nasional administration.

The pressure to pay off a RM1 trillion debt has strained its ability to deliver on 10 promises it made during the GE14 campaign.

The administration abolished the unpopular goods and services tax (GST) which was blamed for the increasing living costs. But a weakening ringgit threatens to wipe out the reduction in prices by making imported food and household items more expensive.  

Putrajaya has also attracted backlash from Malay supremacists and Muslim conservatives over its picks for attorney-general, chief justice and its plan to recognise the Unified Exam Certificate.

Members of the administration have also raised eyebrows for taking a more tolerant stance towards LGBTQ individuals, by calling for an end towards their marginalisation.

The stance is a sharp change from the BN administration which routinely vilified and persecuted the LGBTQ.    

Nor Zachy said the LGBTQ issue is representative of the clash in mindsets in Malaysia that PH must not only manage properly, but also change. 

“Things are seen in a two-way spectrum of liberal and conservative Malaysia.

“But these two are minority camps on opposite ends of the spectrum. There exists a middle ground where the majority of Malaysians inhabit. PH has to speak to this majority.”

The new government, he said, must execute its agenda strongly and boldly now that it had won a mandate to rule.

“PH was successful at listening to the people through Invoke, IDE and through Eastern Analytica, especially during the general election.

“They expressed the voice of the people through parliament and through the manifesto.

“So now they have to execute their promises and plans strongly without fear or favour. The agenda of reform must be established but they must also change Malaysian mindsets.” – August 17, 2018.