Media outlets have a knack for shaping public opinion, often serving up local and international developments like daily specials.
While their stories usually highlight achievements and challenges, mixing in comparisons with neighbouring countries can sometimes leave a sour taste.
Why M’sia attracts more tech investments than Indonesia
This was the case recently when an Indonesian video went viral, featuring a local news host giving Malaysia’s tech investments a side-eye and sparking online chatter.
In the video, the Indonesian host dived into Malaysia’s success in securing hefty tech investments, describing how it’s becoming a “data hub buffet” for tech giants in Southeast Asia.
He spotlighted Oracle’s commitment of over $6.5 billion (~RM27 billion) for cloud computing and artificial intelligence and Microsoft’s USD 2.2 billion (RM10.5 billion) plan for the next four years.
The host emphasised that Malaysia’s tech infrastructure is heating up, leaving some to wonder, “What’s cooking next?”
But the host wasn’t just serving praise; he turned up the heat by suggesting that Indonesia, with its massive internet user base, deserved a bigger slice of the tech investment pie.
According to him, the investments Malaysia had scooped up might have been a better fit for Indonesia’s digital appetite.
The segment quickly grabbed attention online, with netizens questioning whether these comparisons were really needed.
One commented, “In Malaysia, media rarely make these kinds of comparisons. Even the smallest mentions here seem aimed at sowing discord and resentment towards Malaysia.”
Some netizens emphasised that Indonesia’s media should prioritise its own country’s progress rather than drawing comparisons.
“Instead of looking at what Malaysia is doing, we should concentrate on our own development,” one person expressed.
Some pointed out that Malaysia’s media doesn’t engage in this kind of “neighbourly competition.”
“Malaysians are not interested in comparing anything with their neighbours. If investors choose other countries, they accept it with an open heart.”
Watch the clip here:
