Bloggers against mainstream media

I started blogging last year and I love writing on many issues. My favourite, really, is about my younger days when I lived in a kampong, Kampong Pandan. I love reminiscing on the past especially the kind of stuff you don't see or hear nowadays. Things like playing' police and thief', marbles, tops, koundi kounda, rubber bands, kotta (cigarette packets) and kites. Kids these days don't even know what a top is. So sad.
But what I am really sad about is the current situation in this country where a couple of bloggers have been taken to court over what they have written in their blogs. These two guys have been forthcoming with news that the mainstream media are reluctant to print. By their reluctance they have unwittingly given rise to blogs that give alternative news. You see, in this country the main papers are controlled by the ruling political party so they have to be careful about the stories they carry. But that is not the case with bloggers. They do not have to worry about editors and the ones who are paying their salaries. Bloggers are free to write, albeit with responsibility. What bloggers write are actually opinions and thoughts -they could be wrong or right. People are free to leave comments if they so wish.
These two bloggers are being sued for defamation. Now I am no legal counsellor but I believe that the onus is on the plaintiff to prove that there is malice in the reports and it was done intentionally to make the aggrieved person loose face (reputation) in society. The case is before the courts in Malaysia and this will become a landmark case.
The problem is that many people have now begun to read the blogs of malaysian bloggers. Blogs are in fact really coming up with scoops and it is with relish that the ordinary folk lap it up. We have a large percentage of urbanites who have computers and who surf the net. The interesting thing is that, like always in this country, whatever is reported in the alternative media somehow turns out to be true.
A point in case is the recent blogs by Raja Petra Kamaruddin or RPK, Jeff Ooi and Rocky's Bru. These guys have reported about a number of things and all turned out to be true to the embarrassment of the PM and his government. The recent purchase of an Airbus plane which is being refurbished in Switzerland at great expense came to light through the website of certain bloggers. Photos of the plane and the costs were published. A few days after the blogs were out about this issue, the PM returns from the Davos summit and makes a statement that the government is only leasing the plane from another company (PMB) which purchased the plane. The funny thing is that company is the investment arm of the government. So it other words the plane was actually bought by the government! And who, therefore, is leasing from who? It does not take an Einstein to work this out.
I for one will continue to read blogs and write my own. My support goes out to the bloggers who are being persecuted. I hope that justice will prevail although I feel that the clout of the government will ultimately influence the outcome.
I feel sad about the state of affairs in this country. We were promised by the incumbent PM of this country that he will be transparent and accountable to the people. We gave him a huge mandate and elected him in.
Will we do it again in 2009 ?

A really good muslim

I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with this person, Rabiatu Abu Bakar, for over 3 years. I first met her when she came to work with me as an intern when she was completing her degree in Public Relations. My first impression of her, with her head scarf and serious disposition was that I had to be careful and sensitive when dealing with her or else I might offend her and her religion since she was a foreigner. She looked pretty conservative.
But over the years, she has not only become to me a colleague but also a kind, gentle and most of all a conscientious friend. 'Rabs', as I would call graduated with a degree in Journalism and was offered a post in the establishment I work for. She writes well and that is a premium in this country where the usage of English has literally gone to the dogs. So she was duly hired to assist me in my work. Although not paid what she was worth she continued to produce and write a vast array of articles for the media. She never complained one bit about her pay and managed to live with the meagre salary all by herself. Through her writings she also became a book reviewer and received a number of by lines in the local press.
Not once have I heard her complain about any one in the office. I would rant, rave and use foul language but she would just smile at me and tell me to take it easy or that the person did that because of a good reason. She would be the pacifier. She would slip out quietly during the day to fulfill her daily prayers.Never one to take sides she was always trying to make things go well with her colleagues.
At times I would tease her about this and that but she would just smile and retort with a nice saying that would make us both laugh. She brought my blood pressure down for sure.
Although many people did not realise it she was the daughter of an ambassador. She carries herself in a dignified manner and has this wonderful disposition that I really admire. I wish sometimes that I could be like her.
She would be leaving this country soon and I for one would really be missing her.She is a true blue muslim.
Good luck my friend and Salam.

Only in this country lah!

The other day I was reading one of the main English dailies in the country and stumbled upon something that we in Malaysia can be very proud off. We have the the most amount of awards before a name. It goes like this ' Tun Tan Sri Dato Dr Professor Ling K T. "
Boy! The man surely is somebody. Just look at the awards he has got. His family must be mighty proud of him. The only problem is that this guy is somebody I know and to my knowledge he has got only his Senior Cambridge. The rest of this came through rubbing shoulders with the right people. But to his credit he also is quite talented.
But one thing I am sure is that he is not an academician and cannot profess to be a Phd or Professor emeritus!!
But what the heck!! We are known globally as ' Malaysia Boleh'!!
Anything goes here in this wonderland.