Michelle Yeoh Criticized Over Her Political Views in Malaysia

HONG KONG – From saving James Bond from harm in Tomorrow Never Dies to standing firm against political tyranny in Luc Besson‘s Aung San Suu Kyi biopic The Lady, Michelle Yeoh is known for playing strong-willed characters onscreen. Now the Malaysian-born actress has shown herself to be just as tenacious in real life, via her dogged support for her country’s beleaguered conservative prime minister.

Yeoh has come under social media attack since she appeared at an election rally in support of Najib Razak’s ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional, in the southern state of Selangor on April 20. At the event, the actress said Najib, who is running his first electoral campaign after ascending to his post in 2009, is a leader “who has done so many good things and will do more… I hope from the bottom of my heart that he will remain as the prime minister and I ask all of you to give him a strong mandate.”

PHOTOS: Oscar Roundtable: 6 Actors on Acting, Politics and the Pitfalls of Fame

Since then, critics of the Barisan-led government have rallied against Yeoh with postings on a Facebook page supporting the opposition party, Pakatan Rakyat, questioning Yeoh’s knowledge of everyday life in her home country and urging her to “not become a traitor.”

Having ruled Malaysia uninterrupted since the country’s independence in 1957, Barisan Nasional (which was known as the Parti Perikatan before 1973) has seen its grip on power gradually loosened in recent years amid corruption allegations and political scandals, with its once overwhelming control in the federal legislature whittled down to a narrow majority as support surges for Pakatan Rakyat, led by former Barisan Nasional deputy leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Yeoh has remained steadfast in her support for Najib. In an interview with Channel News Asia, the actress said: “This is a democratic country and we are free to voice our opinion… I believe all of us want to do good for our country.” Speaking to the Chinese press at a cosmetics launch in Hong Kong on Monday, Yeoh said she is “a straight-talking person, and I will speak out if I have something to say.” The Hollywood Reporter’s requests to Yeoh’s agent for clarification on the matter were not answered at the time of this writing.

STORY: Bond Girl Michelle Yeoh Deported from Burma Over Aung San Suu Kyi Role

While some might see a paradox in Yeoh’s support of both Burmese pro-democracy activist (and possible president-in-waiting) Aung San Suu Kyi and Barisan Nacional — a coalition criticized for its track record of suppressing dissent, including a stringent censorship regime against films touching on sensitive subjects like the communist insurgency in the 1950s and 1960s — the actress’ support for the ruling coalition is hardly a surprise.

Her father, Yeoh Kian Teik, is a veteran member of the Malaysian Chinese Association, one of the founding members of the umbrella political front. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in March, the actress said her father’s political engagement rubbed off on her and has likely played a part in her enthusiasm for championing social causes such as Suu Kyi’s fight in Burma or the introduction of traffic safety education around the world.

Yeoh’s father himself has spoken out in support of his daughter’s political views, saying the public should respect her right to support any political party.

Yeoh is not the only Malaysian celebrity experiencing a massive critical backlash at home for support of Barisan Nacional. Singer Eric Moo was also censured for appearing at a concert linked to the ruling coalition, and bloggers have called for a boycott of his albums.

STORY: Troubled Malaysian Film Festival’s Co-Director Resigns

Analysts are predicting that the upcoming election, which is to be held on May 5, will be one of the tightest and hardest-fought in Malaysian history. The political uncertainty has led to more than just star-bashing: The Kuala Lumpur Communications and Creative Mart, which was supposed to be held March 26 to 29, was postponed to make way for the elections. The organizers have yet to announce when the event will take place, if at all.