Impact of Bersih 3.0

History has repeated itself, again. Looks like PM Najib had his balls fried. He should really start planning his long vacation as the future of Barisan National appears rather bleak. BERSIH 3.0 showcased the banal Malaysian government is not simple. Today, they say apple. Tomorrow they will say durian. Next week they declare no such fruits existed. Malaysian political arena is like a cock-fighting match. Full of drama, colourful and twisted.

Summary of Bersih 3.0

On 28 April 2012, BERSIH 3.0 has met with another vile finale. Aside from the unnecessary razor wires around Dataran Square which was a banned venue, the Malaysian police had used water canons and tear gas to disperse crowds.  The Malaysian police has made a fatal mistake and caused public furore. There were contradicting reports between the Malaysian government and the Bersih organisers. Bersih organisers claimed that it was a peaceful sit-in protest until it was hijacked by agent provocateurs at Dataran Merdeka. If we were to look at how Bersih had managed to galvanise rallies in 35 countries and 85 locations,  this was indeed successful. On the other hand, the Malaysian government claimed that BERSIH 3.0 participants broke the law as they breached the barricades and attacked policemen. After every BERSIH rally, each generation, people are becoming more emboldened to challenge the police as the stand-off continues. One thing’s for sure, the opposition should stay away from influencing the outcome of electoral reform.

Era of Social Movements

                                      

Role of civic societies have made people engage, interact and involve in decision making process in public affairs with the hope that change can occur before the elections. Civic awareness in Malaysia has unquestionably influence BERSIH rally and represent a profession. Through social movements it shows there is a growing voice in public affairs and people push forward their agenda and demand political legitimacy from the Malaysian government. The mass protest worked and has been capable of galvanising massive collective action peacefully throughout the world. The main demand for BERSIH is simply to call for a clean and fair elections for the people and the country.

About 40,000 people attended the BERSIH 1.0 rally on November 10, 2007, and the number of participants for the BERSIH 2.0 rally on July 9 last year increased by 10,000 people, even after the police had sealed the city. It showed that BERSIH has enhanced its capacity to mobilise. It was reported some 80,000 participants had taken part in BERSIH 3.0 last Saturday at Dataran Merdeka alone.

BERSIH 1.0, was a flashpoint as it created an impact in subsequent rallies. The demographic made up of unanimous people from all walks of life. In BERSIH 2.0, there was an impasse between the people and the government. The Malaysian government had declared that BERSIH was illegal. Water canons and tear gas were used to disperse the crowds in 2010. In BERSIH 3.0, initially the Malaysian government appeared eager to repair the image of the government through several policy changes. Home Minister, Datuk Hishammudin had given his word that BERSIH sit-in demonstration will go on as planned as it would pose no security concern to the government.

Tattered image of Barisan National

The image of the ruling coalition have been charred after BERSIH 3.0. The Malaysian government will have to follow the people’s choice. Reluctance to electoral reform may cause a disadvantage to the ruling coalition. Electoral reform is very important in building a culture and society. So, this is how the future of the world will be. People will demand for more transparency and they will dabble into government's affairs as ultimately their lives wil be affected by these policies. Seems like Najib’s government will need to postpone the election again to a later date. 

Impact of Bersih on Singapore

The use of the social media in proletarian movements permits the public to redefine the venerable adage of strength in numbers. Most importantly, it emboldens the people to be engaged citizens, blind to distance and colour. However, many argue that "soft protest" is an anemic replica of the commitment required on the ground, along with its prospective risks. However, BERSIH have proven that online protests can be easily translated into action, thanks to the mighty digitial pen.

Cynicism towards the “old guard” is mounting, especially amongst young voters who have grown impatient at the mainstream media bias and marginalisation throughout their lives. If the demands of the younger generation are not met, they will retaliate and throw their antics around like a spoiled-brat until the authority relent or gives up. We have witnessed Arab and Malaysian Spring, Singapore’s turn has yet to come.

Freedom of Assembly in Singapore

This Saturday 28 Apr 2012, BERSIH SG 3.0 will gather opposite Sultanah Aminah Hospital in JB at 1.30pm since the permit for Hong Lim Park picnic was rejected. Hong Lim park is just like any other parks in our neighbourhood with a lost purpose. The Speakers’ Corner is will soon be converted into a playground or a row of BBQ pits. Come to think of it, wouldn’t it be more plausible for a bunch of Malaysians and Singaporeans to gather in a picnic setting at Hong Lim Park rather than knowingly allow them to march into JB in yellow tops? At least we know such an event is happening in designated location in Singapore which can be easily curtailed by the government if security is the main concern.

BERSIH, meaning ‘clean’ in Malay language, is a march for free and fair elections with a firm anti-corruption stance. It is a common knowledge that such events will not be celebrated and encouraged by the Singapore government no matter how ‘peaceful’ as it disturbs law and order. Despite the venue ban, thousands are expected to sit-in Dataran Merdeka Kuala Lumpur Duduk Bantah on 28 April 2012, a much anticipated event will take place concurrently worldwide including Singapore.

Many Singaporeans were alarmed and disturbed to see ‘outsiders’ conduct their peaceful assemblies and demonstrations in Singapore so as not to leave the impression Singapore supports foreign anti-government practices.  The incumbent has claimed to be a world-class government, so they must walk-the-talk and be receptive to peaceful assemblies and ‘picnics’. The society is made up of thinking generation who are not afraid to fight for their rights and freedom of expression. If you don’t play along with the game, the government will lose support from the masses just like what is happening now in UMNO, and a near-miss in the last GE2011. Malaysian government is trying to break away from rigidity as seen in their recent policy tweakings and gradual leniency in freedom of expression. Maybe Singapore should follow suit and take some lessons from BERSIH 2.0 and 3.0.

Lessons from Bersih 2.0

The enthusiasm was also felt here as Malaysians who live and work in Singapore have identified themselves as BERSIH 2.0 Singapore planned a picnic gathering at Hong Lim park on 9 Jul 2011, a mirrored event alongside other major countries worldwide. They called themselves “guests in Singapore and have no wish to do anything that is not within the confines of Singapore law”, turned up in yellow tops to show solidarity and lend their support to fellow friends in KL. There were no speeches and demonstrations. 

After a messy man-handling during BERSIH 2.0, Malaysian Home Affairs Minister, Datuk Hishammuddin recently released a statement indicating the Malaysian government is slowly embracing democracy and freedom of expression for BERSIH 3.0. Hishammuddin professed that peaceful public assemblies was not a security concern as long as demonstrators abide to the regulations. He also announced that there will be an increase  in police presence to administer the assembly. Malaysian government have learned well from their over-reaction during BERSIH 2.0 in KL. Despite many denials, the Malaysian government was directly responsible for the escalation and brought the Malaysians to this deadlock.  

Likewise, the Singapore government has taken the view that this freedom of assembly should be curtailed for the fear of disruption. The fact that we are still fearful of racial riots after 40 years clearly shows the backwardness of thinking and our inability to let go of the past. However, Singapore government has not close its door entirely to all peaceful assemblies. In the past, Free Burma Protest and PinkDot.sg have demonstrated that there is a possibility of public assembly and demonstration with strict adherence to regulations. 

More than 10,000 supporters for the Freedom to Love campaign turned up in pink tops at Pink Dot 2011 picnic and concert at Hong Lim Park on 18 June 2011.  It was a success whereby the public were invited to attend but non-Singaporeans and non-PRs are not allowed to be within the dot formation when the time comes. They were however, invited to watch the formation from a designated observation area. In another case, some 40 Burmese citizens gathered at Hong Lim Park to call for boycott of the elections in 30 Oct 2010 “No To Burma’s Sham Elections” organised by the Free Burma Campaign Singapore (FBCSG). 

Why Singapore should allow peaceful assemblies? 

The UN Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the general assembly in 1948 declares "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. This right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers". 


An assembly should be deemed peaceful if its organizers have professed peaceful intentions and the conduct of the assembly is non-violent from a number of individuals in a public place for a common expressive purpose. The term “peaceful” should be interpreted to include conduct that may annoy or give offence, and even conduct that temporarily hinders, impedes or obstructs the activities of third parties. People can gather peacefully for a cause.  Just like how the Christians attend church mass and Muslims congregate for prayers on Fridays. All these are peace assemblies with a purpose to render support for the respective inclination. The right to assemble peacefully, together with freedom of expression and freedom of association, rests at the core of any functioning democratic system. 

Let’s take a look at the GE2011 rallies. Thousands of Singaporeans flocked the designated public spaces. Those were large-scale public gatherings with no disruptions to the law and order. Everyone were there for a same purpose and show support for the respective parties. A series of peaceful assemblies with everyone in safe and sound. 

Despite PM Lee Hsien Loong's call to promote increased political awareness, in reality it is still moving vapidly and unyielding towards new challenges. An open and mature society should have an equally open and mature government. 

Habeas Corpus is not dead

Definition: The writ of habeas corpus serves as an important check on the manner in which state courts pay respect to federal constitutional rights. The writ is "the fundamental instrument for safeguarding individual freedom against arbitrary and lawless state action."

Malaysian blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, fondly known as RPK, was release last week after the Malaysian High court granted his habeas corpus application and ruled that the Home Ministry had acted outside of its powers.

But RPK trials are not over and his Sedition hearings continue today.

Nonetheless, the ruling was a victory for Malaysian society as a whole as it sends a strong message that the government does not hold absolute power. The ruling may also mark the beginnings of a successful movement to abolish the ISA once and for all. Such a move may have ripple effects on our shores.

Blogger Raja Petra freed
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/National/2396279/Article/index_html
By : Rita Jong
8 Nov

SHAH ALAM: The High Court yesterday ordered the immediate release of Raja Petra Kamarudin from his two-year detention under the Internal Security Act.

This followed the decision of judge Datuk Syed Ahmad Helmy Syed Ahmad to allow the Malaysia Today editor's habeas corpus application, which was filed on Sept 31.

Syed Ahmad held that the home minister had issued the order outside the scope of Section 8(1) of the Internal Security Act 1960.

He also allowed the application by Raja Petra's counsel, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, to order that he (Raja Petra) be brought from the Kamunting detention centre to the Shah Alam court before 4pm for his release.

Syed Ahmad said he found there was no merit for the applicant's counsel to state that Section 8 was unconstitutional, as it fell within the ambit of Article 149 of the Federal Constitution.

(Article 149 allows action to be taken against anyone who threatens national security even if it violates his fundamental liberties.)

"But in issuing the order, the minister can only do so based on grounds provided under the ambit of the act. The minister cannot simply detain someone. He must be confined to the circumstances stated."

He said based on the grounds given by the minister for the detention, "I found that it did not fall within the scope of Section 8 (1) of the ISA."

On the grounds that the order was made in bad faith, he said that this was not a matter for review by the court as "mala fide is not procedural and non-compliant."

Raja Petra was arrested on Sept 12 as he was deemed a threat to national security and the order to detain him under the ISA was issued on Sept 22.

He was detained on the grounds that he:

- owns and operates the Malaysia Today website;

- intentionally and recklessly published his articles as well as readers' comments on Malaysia Today that were critical of and insulted Muslims, the purity of Islam and the personality of Prophet Muhammad; and,

- that he published his articles concerning national leaders that were defamatory and false with the intention of undermining confidence and inciting public hatred against the government, which could affect public order and prejudice national security.

In filing the habeas corpus application, Raja Petra named the home minister as the respondent.

Senior federal counsel Abdul Wahab Mohamad and Dusuki Mokhtar appeared on behalf of the minister. Malik Imtiaz was assisted by Azhar Azizan Harun, Ashok Kandiah, J. Chandra, Sreekant Pillai and H.K. Neoh.

After Syed Ahmad delivered his decision, Raja Petra's supporters clapped with joy, only to be ticked off by the judge who reminded them that they were in a court of law.

Raja Petra's wife, Marina Lee Abdullah, and their two daughters, Suraya and Sarah, were in tears.

Later, Marina said: "No words can describe how I am feeling right now. I am just glad everything went the way I hoped. This is fantastic."

Raja Petra arrived at the court in a white van, escorted by five warders, at 3.15pm to a hero's welcome.

When he got out of the van, the blogger, clad in a brown T-shirt and jeans and looking tired, gave the thumbs-up sign as some 100 supporters chanted "RPK! RPK!" He hugged and kissed his wife.

He was then led into the courtroom and Syed Ahmad ordered his release at 3.20pm.

After the court stood down, a supporter placed a garland on him.

"I am quite surprised that I am released.

"Not many people who challenged the ISA detention succeeded. So I didn't give it too much hope."

He added that the fight to abolish the ISA must continue.

Raja Petra had to jostle his way past some 50 photographers to get into a maroon-coloured Rolls Royce with Marina, before leaving the court compound at 3.35pm.

New Media more than blogs

The Malaysian experience with politician entry into the New Media realm is somewhat echoed in the Singapore cyber-scape. Notwithstanding the fact that the Malaysian opposition's Internet strategy is far more robust than Singapore's, many of points brought up in this article, and others, are very relevent to your situation.

Thursday September 18, 2008
New Media more than blogs
Wikimedia
By OON YEOH

The Internet has become such a key component in the political battleground that any party which ignores its importance is likely to find itself handicapped.

RIGHT after the March general election, there was a sense of urgency amongst Barisan Nasional politicians to get aboard the New Media bandwagon.

There was talk of requiring current and aspiring MPs to set up their own blogs.

But harnessing the power of New Media takes more than just setting up blogs. It requires a sound understanding of how public opinion is shaped through online means and how political news and views are disseminated in cyberspace.

“The Barisan’s attitude towards bloggers, blogging and the blogosphere has been reactionary, erratic and inconsistent,” says political analyst Ong Kian Ming, who recently did a study comparing the use of New Media by Barisan and Pakatan Rakyat.

Barisan did get off on the right footing after the election, Ong notes. Information Minister Shabery Cheek declared that the Government would engage with bloggers and he even went as far as to invite some bloggers to appear on a TV interview show.

One of the first online personalities on this programme was none other than Raja Petra Kamarudin, whose website, Malaysia Today, was subsequently banned and then later reinstated.

Currently, he’s being detained under the dreaded ISA for stuff found on his website. “RPK’s case demonstrates the schizophrenic nature of the Barisan Government’s attitude towards bloggers,” says Ong.

Six months after the election, how much have the Barisan representatives responded to the call to set up their own blogs?

Not much, says Ong who found that of the 85 Barisan MPs in Peninsular Malaysia, only 13 of them currently have their own blogs (15%).

In contrast, 59 out of the 79 Pakatan MPs from the peninsula (almost three quarters of them) have their own blogs.

Note that he did not include independent MP Ibrahim Ali in his survey as he is neither with Barisan nor Pakatan.

Nor did he include East Malaysian MPs in his survey because blogs are not so important there.

In the past, the Barisan could rely on the mainstream media not to report or under-report any offensive remarks that may have been made by a Barisan politician.

Now, it is likely that such remarks would be picked up by online news sites or observant bloggers. Once such news leaks into cyberspace, the fallout is instantaneous.

And the mainstream media, which has already been emboldened since the election, will pick it up too. We’ve seen this phenomenon of blog scoops trickling into mainstream news happen in the United States and now it’s starting to happen here.

The Barisan is not used to playing the role of the underdog in the political sphere. But it is clearly outmanned and outgunned in cyberspace.

The number of independent blogs which can be categorised as anti-Barisan significantly outnumber the blogs which are supportive of the Barisan, says Ong, who adds: “It’s hard to name a single influential blogger who can be categorised as pro-Barisan.”

Barisan cannot overcome this disadvantage in cyberspace by throwing money at the problem. Even if it paid a whole army of bloggers to set up pro-Barisan blogs, it wouldn’t work as their credibility would be suspect straight away.

Mercenary bloggers just can’t match the passion of the ones who do it as a labour of love, who do it as a matter of personal commitment.

This is not to say that New Media is a lost cause for the Barisan. Even if it can’t get the blogosphere to support it immediately, it can set a good example by having its MPs and senior leaders maintain good websites or blogs.

They can start by emulating DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang who began embracing the Internet in the mid-90s.

He even bothered to learn HTML just so his party could have its own website and was one of the key drivers in continuously upgrading the party website, publishing the press statements and also encouraging its MPs to start blogs of their own.

Anwar Ibrahim’s website is very comprehensive and it has sections where one can make financial contributions, request Anwar to speak at events and view his past speeches and op-eds.

He also has a blog which has his public schedule, YouTube videos, related news items as well as press releases.

Even Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has joined the blogosphere with over six million visits to date, a remarkable achievement by any standards.

In stark contrast, no senior Barisan leader can claim to have the same kind of Internet presence or traffic.

The most vilified person in the Malaysian blogosphere, Khairy Jamaluddin, does have his own website and it includes a blog.

It will take more than having his own online presence to counter all the negative postings about him but Khairy did garner some attention recently when he criticised the MCMC’s decision to block access to RPK’s website.

Perhaps other Barisan MPs can follow his lead and be willing to express their views frankly and openly through blogs.

The online advantage that Pakatan enjoys does not guarantee them electoral success.

There is no replacing the ‘offline’ activities that are part and parcel of what political parties and politicians need to do – the constituency servicing, the face-to-face meetings, the ceramahs, and so on, says Ong.

“But the Internet has become such a key component of the political battleground that any party that ignores its importance is likely to find itself handicapped,” he adds.

Malaysia BN's creative tactics

Taken from Malaysiakini - "The Barisan Nasional leadership is so worried that some of their members of parliament in Sarawak and Sabah will leave or cross over to Pakatan Rakyat (PR) that they have packed them off to go on official visits overseas."

So much for the recently announced cost cutting package. So instead of going on vacation, they are now called "official visits overseas".

And with a no confidence vote looming, the numbers below make sense dont they? If you are not around, how do you vote? Clever.

Monday June 23, 2008
137 MPs to reject no-confidence motion against PM

MINGGUAN Malaysia has claimed that 137 Members of Parliament have pledged
to reject any attempt to table a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister.

Deputy Backbenchers’ Club president Datuk Bung Moktar Radin said he had also directed its members to get ready and arm themselves with “facts” to defend the Prime Minister if ever such a motion saw the light of day at the Dewan.

“However, as of now, we have not received any information about the tabling of such motion. Tomorrow’s (Monday’s) proceedings will go on peacefully and there will be no extraordinary event,” he said.

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee had on Friday
announced that its supreme council had endorsed a no-confidence motion against
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister.

Malaysia's cost-cutting package: When not enough is dangerous

If there is anything we learn from watching politics in Singapore, it is that if you look beyond the shiny gloss surface, you might see an ugly reflection. And this is even more so for our neighbours up north.

Malaysia announced a 2.0-billion-ringgit ($612-million) cost-cutting package aimed at softening the blow after an unpopular 41 percent fuel price increase. A component of this cost-cutting package is a 10% reduction in Minister allowances. Not exactly a major sacrifice if you consider that it is only their entertainment allowances are affected. As their vacations will also be limited to domestic and ASEAN destinations, I am assuming that the state pays for their vacations.

Now I am assuming that 10% of minister allowances and the savings from their travel expenses would not amount to more than a few millions of dollars per year. If it did amount to a larger than proportionate share of the cost savings then perhaps they should be looking at the other 90%. But assuming it doesn’t, these small personal ‘sacrifices’ are operating in tandem with monumental sacrifices from the people of Malaysia as the major component of this cost-cutting package is the deferment of major infrastructure projects.

Unfortunately, while saving the Government millions, such projects like upgrading public transportation and building low-cost housing would in fact help the poor reduce their dependency on private vehicles and rising house prices (due to rising material costs brought about by rising fuel). Therefore, such cost cuttings would only amount to a short term fix and in fact make Malaysians less able to tackle rising costs in the future.

And what about the revenues from rising crude prices? Last year, Malaysia's fuel subsidies cost the state about US$12.44 billion. At that time, crude oil prices hover around US$100 a barrel. However, as a net oil exporter, Malaysia gains from high oil prices, reaping US$77.6m a year in revenue for every US$1 rise in crude prices. Prices of crude has since risen by roughly US$30 and simple projections would mean an increase in revenue of approximately US$2 billion. Can this be channelled to the poor instead? Apparently not as the newly restructured fuel subsidy system (even after the reduction) is expected to cost US$14bn this year (US$2 billion more than last year).

Thus, if a 41% increase is fuel price is a direct result of a reduction in fuel subsidy, there is essentially no increase in revenue the government can play with as the government is essentially spending the same amount as last year while the people are spending more at the stations and left to face rising inflation.

The major source of funding for this relief package is thus coming from a public spend; public spending which would have been more effective in providing relief in the long run. A seeming in ability to manage the economy would definately open the door for the Opposition. We all know the power of bread and butter issues to swing opinion.

Malaysian Politicians Blogging for Blogging Sake

Have they not learnt from our PAP's pathetic attempts at blogging (e.g. George Yeo, P65, Ypap blog... )


The reason why they dont work and why the BN will also fail miserably is because political blogging is more than just owning a blog.

• It is about no holds barred, but respectful, engagement with anyone on cyberspace.


• It is about putting yourself out there to criticisms and alternative thoughts.


• It is about leveling the playing field between agents of disparate status and power.


• It is where ideas and thoughts have more currency than position.

It is most definately NOT about just creating a new channel meerly to propagate your message - another podium for you to speak and be heard.

If there is no engagement, there can be no enlightenment.

April 24, 2008
UPFRONT
BN turns to blogging in a belated turnaround
By Hazlin Hassan

KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA'S political leaders are rushing to set up blogs and increase their postings on existing ones after recent polls showed how effective the Internet has been.

Those joining the bandwagon include former Selangor menteri besar Khir Toyo, Malacca Menteri Besar Ali Rustam and former health minister Chua Soi Lek of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA).


The move signals a dramatic turnaround because until recently, senior political leaders dismissed bloggers as rumour-mongers and even described some as 'stupid' and 'monkeys'. The authorities have also detained some bloggers for allegedly libellous or seditious postings.

Many of Malaysia's popular blogs - such as rockybru.blogspot.com by prominent blogger Ahiruddin Atan, jeffooi.com by well-known blogger-turned-politician Jeff Ooi, rantingsbymm.blogspot.com by former premier Mahathir Mohamad's daughter Marina, and several others - contain critical commentary on the government.

Some have been blamed for the unprecedented losses of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government in the March general election, which also saw blogger Jeff Ooi being elected to Parliament on an opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) ticket.

Critics accused BN and its politicians of being out of touch with voters, particularly the young, most of whom seem to rely on the Internet for information these days.

After the election, blogging has been made mandatory for Umno Youth candidates contesting national posts, and the mainstream media and some bloggers have been publicising some of the new blogs.

Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, secretary-general of the youth wing, told The Straits Times: 'We have to accept now that as far as the younger generation is concerned, they are very much suspicious of the mainstream media. This is one way to tackle that. Better late than never.'

He has a bilingual blog, www.mpkotabelud.blogspot. com, in Malay and English, and updates it three times a day.

Deputy Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin started his website, www.rembau.net.my, before the election. Now he also has an active Facebook profile and there is one for his father-in-law, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, as well.

Another new face in cyberspace is former Selangor strongman Dr Khir, who lost his seat and his state to the opposition.

But instead of wooing much-needed support for Umno, one of the first things he did on his blog was to urge Datuk Seri Abdullah to step down.

The Prime Minister 'must be brave enough to accept the facts and create an exit plan', Dr Khir wrote on his Malay-language website www.drkhir.blogspot.com. 'This transition can be done in the near future or in a longer period.

However, it should not take too long because this could jeopardise the administration and the preparations of the party for the next election.'

On average, he receives a couple of hundred comments on each entry.

Ms Tricia Yeoh, director of the Centre for Public Policy Studies, an independent research institute in Kuala Lumpur, said: 'Although initially critical of blogging as a tool of dissidents, the BN politicians now realise the importance of open, honest, rational dialogue and conversation between leader and voter.'

But it may be too late for the ruling coalition. Opposition DAP leader Lim Kit Siang has been blogging since 1997 at blog.limkitsiang.com and his Facebook profile has more than 2,000 'friends'.

De facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's Facebook site is even more of a hit and he has more than 4,000 online friends.

Another politician who has taken to the Internet is Datuk Chua, who resigned after a sex DVD scandal. He has started a bilingual blog in Chinese and English at drchua9.blogspot.com and has been blogging almost every day. He has an online survey asking visitors to say if it is fair for a leader to step down after a bad loss in the general election.

Not everyone has that kind of time, though.

Malacca Menteri Besar Ali Rustam logs on only about once a week. And he has disabled the comments section of his blog after receiving hundreds of reactions online following a comment he made on the need to clean up pig farms in Selangor.

His remarks provoked a flood of criticism, mostly for 'playing up racial sentiments'. Malay Muslims shun pigs on religious grounds.

Sceptics complain about the quality of blogs though, with one saying that 'the mainstream blogs are just as bad as the mainstream press'.

Editor of New Media at The Star newspaper A. Asohan wrote in a Sunday editorial about the move: 'As a cranky and cynical journalist, it is my duty to burst this bubble. It's not going to work.

'You want to counter all that criticism on the Net? Easy: don't give people any ammunition. Don't say stupid things, don't release ill-conceived statements, don't contradict yourself, don't harp on issues that only you seem concerned about,' he said.

Political analyst James Wong, however, believes that the technology should not be ignored. 'We are now dealing with a mass society, it's no more walking around your kampung, talking face-to-face,' he told The Straits Times.

'We have to address the crowds in an everyday sense. The BN totally misunderstood blogging and blogs before the election. The question of whether blogging is good or bad is like saying television is bad. Technology is neutral.'
hazlinh@sph.com.sg