KUALA LUMPUR April 19, 2026 – A prominent Malaysian political activist has called on citizens to “use their brains” and reject opposition narratives claiming that the country’s economy is in freefall, pointing instead to a series of glowing assessments from global financial institutions and major media outlets.
In a widely shared post on X (formerly Twitter) on April 18, Liyana Marzuki, a self-described political activist and writer, challenged what she described as coordinated propaganda by opposition figures and their online supporters ahead of future elections.
“PAKAI OTAK,” she wrote in Malay – a direct call to “use your brain” – before listing positive international verdicts on Malaysia’s economic performance despite global headwinds, including the ongoing Middle East crisis.
Liyana Marzuki highlighted four key reports:
- World Bank raises Malaysia’s GDP growth forecast to 4.4% despite the Middle East crisis, with the bank’s lead economist noting that Malaysia is entering the current period “from a position of strength.” (Free Malaysia Today, reported nine days prior to her post)
- Nikkei Asia described Malaysia as “Asia’s quiet overachiever,” crediting strong economic growth, a booming semiconductor and chip sector, and vibrant tourism for powering the nation forward. (Opinion piece published April 13, 2026)
- Financial Review (Australia) praised Malaysia as one of the few countries to successfully capitalise on opportunities created by the war, noting it was among the earliest in ASEAN to secure passage for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. (Article dated April 10, 2026)
- Bloomberg reported that the Malaysian ringgit and stocks had hit their highest levels since 2018, driven by rising confidence in the country’s role in the artificial intelligence supply chain and a strengthening economic outlook. (January 26, 2026)
She argued that these independent assessments from respected global voices contradict the opposition’s repeated claims that the Unity Government has failed to manage the economy.
“Numbers don’t lie,” she wrote. “Manipulative narratives, cherry-picking, and half-truths will continue, but reality will always surface.”
The activist urged Malaysians – particularly the “thinking middle” – not to be swayed by emotional appeals or online noise, emphasising that elections are ultimately decided by rational voters rather than partisan echo chambers.
“Leaders who are good will elevate the people’s intellect, not their emotions,” she added.
The post, which has garnered over 11,000 views, hundreds of likes, and significant reposts within 24 hours, has sparked lively debate online. Supporters praised it as a fact-based rebuttal to negativity, while some critics questioned whether macroeconomic indicators fully reflect everyday cost-of-living pressures.
As Malaysia continues to navigate global uncertainties, the contrasting narratives underscore the growing battle over public perception of the country’s economic health ahead of the next general election.
Life News Agency will continue to monitor developments in Malaysia’s economy and political discourse.
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