MACC-film triggers conspiracy theories - Malaysiakini
m.malaysiakini.com
A fictional film about anti-corruption conspiracies ironically spawned real conspiracy theories — a perfect case study in how art shapes public perception and fuels epistemic distrust.
Conspiracy Theory FormationEpistemic DistrustNarrative Transportation TheoryInstitutional Trust Theory
Theory Briefing
- A Malaysian film called 'Konspirasi' dramatising fictional MACC exploits became the unlikely spark for real-world conspiracy theories.
- The irony of an anti-corruption narrative breeding public suspicion illustrates how fiction can blur the line between story and perceived reality.
- The episode reveals how low institutional trust amplifies conspiracy thinking, turning even state-adjacent entertainment into a target for doubt.