How cults and political cybertroopers create division and confusion online

SHAH ALAM - Cult groups and political cybertroopers may seem to operate in different spheres, but they share strikingly similar strategies when it comes to manipulating public perception and spreading confusion.

Their approaches were designed to sway public opinion and control narratives, using various psychological tactics to shape beliefs and create division.

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman’s political analyst and communication expert Edwin Michael highlighted these parallels, emphasising that both cults and political entities used emotional appeals, disinformation, and narrative control to influence their audiences.

“Cult groups and political cybertroopers adopted similar strategies for manipulating public perception and producing confusion, albeit in different areas.

"Cults frequently maintained tight control over the flow of information to members and the general public, releasing only selective narratives that promoted the group's values while shielding followers from crucial information,” Edwin told Sinar Daily when contacted recently.

He added that political cybertroopers flooded social media platforms and forums with fake information, half-truths, and distorted data to confuse and influence public opinion.

“By planting fake accounts or bots that mimicked grassroots movements, they created a false impression of widespread support,” he said.

Recently, the nation has been in shock following the recent incident involving GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH), which has triggered widespread reactions.

Several individuals connected to the former GISBH community have stepped forward to voice their concerns about the situation.

Despite mounting criticism, many netizens continue to defend the organisation, even as victims bravely share their experiences, aiming to raise awareness of the troubling issues within the group.

One outspoken critic, Sabrina Bolivar, the daughter of a former high-ranking executive of Al-Arqam, stressed that despite evidence presented by the authorities, including allegations of neglect and sexual abuse, many people remain in denial and continue to support the group.

Their approaches were designed to sway public opinion and control narratives, using various psychological tactics to shape beliefs and create division.

Edwin's comments stemmed from the recent case, elaborating on how cult groups employ similar strategies to political cybertroopers in manipulating public perception and spreading confusion in the digital era.

Information Control and Selective Narratives

Edwin highlighted that cult groups tightly controlled the information that reached both their members and the general public.

They crafted selective narratives promoting their values while blocking out external perspectives that might challenge their beliefs.

“They employed the media to portray morality or a higher cause while appealing to emotional needs,” Edwin said.

Similarly, cybertroopers flooded social media and online forums with misinformation, half-truths, and manipulated data, blurring the lines between fact and fiction.

This created confusion among the public and made it difficult to distinguish reality from fabrication.

Creating Loyalty Through Emotional Manipulation

Cult leaders often presented themselves as messianic figures, establishing personal connections with followers to build loyalty.

Edwin stated that these leaders portrayed themselves as saviours, with messages designed to appear kind and lifesaving.

This emotional appeal encouraged followers to remain loyal to the group, promoting an "us vs them" mentality where the outside world was seen as dangerous and corrupt.

In the political arena, cybertroopers harnessed emotions like anger and tribalism to manipulate their audience.

They stoked public frustration by spreading divisive messages that incited hostility toward opponents.

Edwin said these tactics aimed to eliminate critical thinking and keep supporters engaged in their narrative.

Targeting Critics and Silencing Dissent

According to Edwin, critics of cult groups were often labelled as "traitors" or misguided individuals who did not understand the group's higher purpose.

He said cults employed counter-narratives to discredit detractors, painting them as corrupt forces attacking the truth.

Similarly, political actors launched smear campaigns to attack their critics. They questioned the credibility of journalists, activists, or whistleblowers, branding them as biased or agents of "fake news."

These tactics aimed to stifle dissent and shift focus away from the real issues.

Using Media Channels to Spread Misinformation

Cult groups were skilled at using media platforms to amplify their distorted messages.

They often promoted conspiracy theories or sensational narratives that framed external entities as threats.

Edwin highlighted that repeated exposure to these ideas made them seem credible over time.

“Political operatives also strategically used the media to spread false information, crafting misleading narratives to undermine opponents and cast doubt on institutions,” Edwin added.

The Power of Influencers and Public Figures

Cults often leveraged the influence of charismatic leaders or well-known individuals to lend credibility to their message.

These influencers helped normalise the group's extremist views by using their social standing to spread the cult’s ideology.

Political campaigns similarly employed influencers to reinforce their messages.

Whether complicit or unaware of their role in spreading propaganda, these public figures added an element of legitimacy to the cause, Edwin explained.

Dividing the Public with "Us vs Them" Narratives

Cults frequently created stark divisions between the group and the outside world, depicting outsiders as dangerous or evil. To this, Edwin stressed that this binary thinking prevented members from engaging in critical thought, reinforcing loyalty to the group.

Political manipulators used similar tactics, presenting their side as the only valid perspective while demonising their opponents.

By creating a narrative that labelled critics as enemies, they fostered a sense of solidarity among their followers.

“They construct phoney accounts or bots that resemble actual grassroots movements to convey the impression of mass support for a political cause or candidate, building a sense of solidarity among their followers,” he added.

Manipulating Emotions to Control the Narrative

Cult groups relied on fear-based messaging, warning followers of imminent dangers or catastrophic outcomes if they did not stay loyal.

Edwin clarified that they promised protection and salvation, making it difficult for members to leave the group.

Political entities used fear-mongering tactics to stoke public anxiety about issues like national security or economic collapse.

By manipulating these fears, they pushed the public into a state of urgency that overrode rational debate.

The Use of Smear Campaigns

Edwin highlighted to discredit those who oppose them, cults often resort to smear tactics.

He said that they attack the character of their critics, emphasising personal flaws or past mistakes to divert attention from the substance of the critique.

Similarly, political actors deflect criticism by launching personal attacks against their detractors.

These smear campaigns focus on discrediting the individual rather than addressing the validity of their arguments.

Understanding these manipulation techniques is crucial for maintaining critical thinking and resisting the influence of both cults and political propaganda.

By recognising patterns such as emotional exploitation, black-and-white narratives, and disinformation, we can better safeguard ourselves from falling into the traps of deception.

Staying informed and questioning the sources of information are key defences against the strategies used by cults and political cybertroopers.