Contradictheory: Hari Raya ads that touch all faiths and races

Ads for the major festivals in Malaysia have became short films, celebrated for their emotional depth and reminding you what it means to be Malaysian. 'Amanah Sulung' is one of the columnist's favourites – what's yours? Tell us at [e-mail]. — Screen capture

As Ramadan progressed and Hari Raya approached, you might have noticed YouTube’s algorithm shifting gears. Suddenly, it stopped recommending football and cooking videos and started serving up heartwarming tales of a father’s undying love, a mother’s quiet sacrifices, or a group of strangers bonding over a plate of ketupat and rendang.

Did you – like a lot of Malaysians – get swept up by these marketing campaigns designed to tug at your heartstrings and nudge you towards some brand loyalty? Or did you just hit the “Skip Ad” button the moment they appeared?