The group said racial and religious issues were found in 56% of PN’s election messages, and in 39% of PH’s messages, according to studies on key postings by the party’s official channels and their main spokesmen.

In contrast, only 25% of Barisan Nasional’s (BN) election messages centred on racial and religious issues, with the coalition concentrating more on the economy and political issues.

Both BN and PH devoted more effort to politics – 54% of BN’s messages were on this theme and 48% of PH messages.

The report stated that while PH had focused on criticising BN for creating a “racial split and crony culture”, it also reiterated its focus on creating a Malaysia that is not ruled by racial policies. PN, it noted, kept coming back to religion, as their campaign slogan was “Islam Menyatukan Ummah”.

BN meanwhile targeted PH’s attitude towards party hoppers, as well as Bersatu’s reaction to Umno refusing to work with them.

Pusat Komas said PN was also a strong advocate for the closure of 4-digit forecast outlets and had pushed for a change of the brand name “Timah” for a locally-made whisky, while PH used the “Timah” issue to show that BN and PN had neglected the rights and benefits of non-Bumiputeras.

Pusat Komas noted that the use of race and religion as campaign issues was an “important tool” for parties to appeal to a particular segment of voters.

The NGO warned that the continued use of race and religion in upcoming elections may exacerbate inter-ethnic tension and hinder nation-building.

Speaking at the launch of the report, Pusat Komas’ programme director Ryan Chua said he hoped to see politicians and their parties move away from the use of race and religion in politics, instead focusing more on policies that are inclusive and beneficial to all constituents.

“Conversations on race and religion are needed for policy purposes, but not to garner political support,” said Chua. “We hope that in the Johor elections and at the next general election, parties will take steps away from racial politics.”