- The campaign is TikTok’s election effort to provide Malaysian youth with the information they need to vote.
- Users will be able to access election-related information by tapping into the platform’s elections guide.
- Government, Politician, and Political Party Accounts (GPPPA) are prohibited from using TikTok’s monetisation features.
TikTok has launched the youth-focused #BeliaSediaUndi campaign to educate, empower, and equip voters with the knowledge they need ahead of Malaysia’s forthcoming General Elections 15 (GE15).
Malaysia is anticipated to gain 5.8 million new voters with the full implementation of Undi18, the constitutional amendment that reduced the minimum voting age from 21 to 18 years old. As a result, TikTok’s #BeliaSediaUndi campaign is designed to guarantee that these voters use their rights and make educated choices when they go to the polls on 19 November 2022.
TikTok is implementing a number of initiatives as part of #BeliaSediaUndi in the run-up to GE15, including the introduction of a dedicated elections guide, targeted youth outreach, and the tightening of policies for official government, politician, and political party accounts (GPPPA).
1. Dedicated General Elections 15 (GE15) Guide
The election guide that TikTok has created will direct users to accurate and significant information that they need to be aware of in the run-up to the elections. While searching for terms like “Belia Sedia Undi,” “GE15,” “PRU15,” “Malaysia Elections,” or “Pilihan Raya,” or when posting content or starting a live chat using hashtags related to elections, users can also visit the microsite for election-related news and updates via the search banner.
The election process will be explained in detail in the guide, which will be useful for both new and veteran voters. Details including who is qualified to vote, when you may vote, and how to vote will be included in the election guide.
A countdown to election day will also be included on the interactive page so that users may be reminded of the day on which they can exercise their right to vote.
“We want to continue taking steps towards ensuring this content is safe, informative and most of all, accurate at a time when our users need to be kept abreast of the current situation here in Malaysia. We take our users’ experience very seriously and want to direct them to resources and information on the platform that is trustworthy and reliable.”
— Kristoffer Rada, Head of Public Policy at TikTok Malaysia
TikTok continues to work with Agence France-Presse during this time as part of its fact-checking efforts to stop the dissemination of false information on the platform. Users may notify TikTok if they come across any dangerous or erroneous content by simply tapping the “share” button on the app and selecting the “report” option from the drop-down menu.
2. Combating Misinformation with the Right Information
The launch of the #BeliaSediaUndi campaign today featured a panel discussion headlined by Mediha Mahmood, Executive Director at the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF); Kristoffer Rada, Head of Public Policy, TikTok Malaysia; Amir Fareed Rahim, Director of Strategy at KRA Group and Aira Azhari, Senior Manager for the Democracy and Governance Unit at the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS).
In the panel discussion titled “GE15: Empowering Youth to Combat Misinformation,” each speaker shared their perspectives on the importance of digital literacy in an age where information is easily accessible online and how it can help the young distinguish between fact and fiction, particularly for a significant national event like the general elections.
Mediha Mahmood, Executive Director of CMCF shares, “The youth in Malaysia are our future, and they each have a pivotal role to play in the development of our nation – be it as leaders, followers, campaigners or voters. It is essential that they are given the opportunity to exercise their rights while also being discerning of the information they consume online. We hope that campaigns and open discussions such as this will help them navigate the events of these next few weeks well, and they can do their part in deciding the future of our country.”
Mr Rada concurs, saying, “Over the years, the methods in which users consume information have shifted to more digital, instant avenues. TikTok, as an entertainment platform first and foremost, is also now being used as a tool for sharing important information. The launch of #BeliaSediaUndi is our take on providing our users and youth with the right information so they are ready and empowered to make their decision on the ballot paper.”
3. A youth-to-youth outreach through university collaboration
In order to improve students’ understanding of digital literacy, advertise critical thinking, and celebrate diversity online, TikTok is also organising an outreach event with Media Research Cluster – MENTION, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
Taking place on 9 November at UKM, the event will also feature a talk by TikTok to inform young voters about TikTok’s trust & safety features, GE15 guide, and TikTok’s Community Guidelines.
4. Funding and monetization disallowed for Government, Politician and Political Party Accounts (GPPPA)
In September, TikTok announced changes to its policies for government, politician, and political party accounts (GPPPA) that prohibit them from monetization opportunities on TikTok.
Accounts belonging to politicians and political parties will be barred from using TikTok’s advertising services, including gifting, tipping, and e-commerce, as of the GE15.
They will not be permitted to share videos seeking donations or to drive viewers to their website’s donation page. This will allow people to address essential issues in their lives and current events while still safeguarding TikTok’s creative, entertaining, and safe space.