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Background and Purpose: Coronavirus has posed an unfamiliar threat to the world Despite such circumstances, Malaysians continue to stay optimistic by keeping abreast with updates and mostly by seeking refuge in hopeful and consoling messages shared by fellow citizens This study identified Facebook postings with positive messages, posted by Malaysians during the Movement Control Order (MCO) implemented by the Malaysian government as a form of prosocial behaviour Methodology: Through an analytic framework consisting of Positive Discourse Analysis and Critical Discourse Analysis, 15 Facebook postings related to COVID-19 were selected and identified as positive discourse, which were coded and categorised using a thematic analysis Further analysis was also conducted on the linguistic features identified in the narratives of the postings showing the construction of positive discourse in the Facebook postings Findings: The findings demonstrate an extensive utilisation of expressions of solidarity primarily through collective pronouns like \'we\' and \'us\', which suggest solidarity and empowerment among Malaysians in dealing with COVID-19 Further analysis reveals the forms and contextual functions of the linguistic strategies as carrying pragmatic devices (e g speech acts and figurative language), which contributes to the power enactment in the Facebook postings in creating an overall positive reaction Contributions: This critical discourse study does not only promote positive discourse for its own sake, but also serves as a pragmatic approach to materialise utilitarian goals It is therefore hoped to contribute not only to linguistics, but also social, psychological as well as arts and humanities studies through further examinations of the pivotal roles that communication and language play, especially in rising against dire situations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Nusantara Studies is the property of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder\'s express written permission However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use This abstract may be abridged No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract (Copyright applies to all Abstracts )
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