Blogging actually matters in Malaysia.
Just ask the four plaintiffs who are suing two reknowned Malaysian bloggers for defamation in a civil suit as we speak. The emergence of popular politically-inclined blogs have been a godsend to the people, although it is proving to be an anathema to the present government. The development is not altogether surprising as governments as a rule, do not like entities that they can't control.
As a consequence, the internet, and blogs in particular, have become a powerful tool in the dissemination of ideas and free speech. For a developing nation like Malaysia, this is turning out to be a "revolution" of sorts, hampered only by the degree of internet penetration and the fact that the best commentaries are written in the language preferred by the intelligentsia, English.
Unfortunately, this amounts to a handicap which is proving to be a huge one, due to an unseen, but palpable, polarisation in society. A perceived inequity in education and persistent state-sponsored indoctrination has made the typical Malaysian averse to changes in the status quo. They may congregate in local watering-holes (read: warungs or kopitiams) and voice their disagreements in secret, but the herd mentality remain difficult to break.
Therefore, to affect any degree of actual change, we must first of all bring change to the grassroot level. To be rid of the mawkish yoke of elitism, just as what Ghandi-ji had achieved in India. But how many of us are willing and able in this respect?
These and many other questions are beyond the remit of this blog. However, with reference to the cases involving Jeff and Rocky, we are seeing evolution take place. And as it is, change in whatever shape or form, will ultimately be irreversible.
This is the defining moment where blogging comes of age in Malaysia. Watch this space.
No comments:
Post a Comment