BLOGGERS MEET

The 1st Malaysian-ASEAN Bloggers Regional Bloggers Conference was an impressive forum –  in terms of its organisation, traditional media support, the 300 pax bloggers and friends turnout, and VVIP patronage.

The Sunday luncheon session was graced by non other than Prime Minister Najib and his wife, with Blog House Patron Dr Mahathir and his wife in attendance. Blog House President Syed Akbar Ali, Adviser Ahiruddin Atan, Exco Nuraina Samad and their colleagues demonstrated great hosting skills. Both the BH Patron and the PM articulated their concerns clearly, the former stressing blogging responsibility and the latter, constructive criticism from digital citizens (ditizens).

NINITALK had the privilege of attending the breakup session in Room B: Parameters – the fine line between what’s allowed and what’s not. Calls were made for Acts to control and constrain and a Bloggers Council to monitor blogging behaviour. NINITALK offered the argument that blogging and blogger behaviour is essentially verbal or linguistic behaviour. In expecting the authorities to grant them the fundamental human rights of freedom of expression and freedom of choice, bloggers themselves must fundamentally demonstrate civic responsibility by choosing their words and expressions with care.

NINITALK grabbed the window of opportunity during the PM’s Q&A by posing a similar comment/ question: how does one bridge the educational and literacy divides that manifest themselves in the diversity of bloggers, their leanings and the kind of language choices they make? how do ditizens select the “crap” from the substance?

All in all, NINITALK and her table of PCORE (Voices of Peace, Conscience & Reason) supporters have Rocky to thank for the invitation to the event and his kindness in seating (standing) us in the pathway of the VVIP entourage – once again a window of opportunity not to be missed. PCORE managed to get the ears and interest of both the PM and his wife in our cause – to promote the voices of moderation, sense and sensibility. And a photo opportunity with dearest Tun Dr Hasmah! 

All in all, it was a super Sunday meeting new friends and old, networking with citizen journalists  – all hoping their writings will make a difference to the world, especially our dearly beloved Malaysia!

GO BLOGGERS GO!

 

 

VOTING PATTERNS

It’s obvious from the results of the Sarawak election that racio-ethnic politics is more deeply entrenched, the Chinese voting in the opposition candidates in the urban centres and the Malays and other bumiputera  groups voting in the government- aligned candidates.

The Chinese rejection of SUPP clearly shows their anti-government stance said to be in protest against an allegedly corrupted BN-led state government. The bumiputera voters on the other hand appreciate the government’s development efforts aimed at uplifting their lot, especially those living in the interiors.

The voting pattern is likely to be repeated in the coming General Election as the urbanites become more critical of government policies and their implementation and the rural population are more accepting. Among the major issues that invite anti-government sentiments are corruption, racially-biased development programmes, selective prosecution and flawed investigative and courtroom procedures.

Lately, the Malaysian public have been fed with the despicable deeds of the country’s role models, enforcement agencies and spokespersons engaging in immoral behaviour from adultery to bribery to lying. Integrity has gone to the dogs in a big way among not only the perpetrators of every form of corruption but also among the ordinary Malaysians who condone or believe them.

It shows a society that is saturated with information but does not have the moral conscience or wisdom to sift through the dirt and select the gems among the people, their statements and rhetoric. It shows a civilisation that is slowly losing its grip on sense and sensibility as it is bombarded with rumour, slander, heavy development and material pursuits. In this all the racio-ethnic groups are united.

The time has come for the more responsible voices among us to prevail and influence public thinking. They must speak out more loudly and clearly to shape the public discourse with reasoned and logical arguments/ argumentations.

Sense and sensibility must take over from the national culture of finger-pointing and oneupmanship. Compromise and collaboration must take place through peaceful engagement and dialogue. The key words must be voices of moderation.

 

 

SEXIST MALAYSIAN PARLIAMENT

The Parliamentary code of ethics must be amended to disallow sexist remarks to be uttered in the nation’s most august house.

The Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat  must exercise his utmost right to not only chide the Members of Parliament for their audacity in making discriminatory remarks against women, but also  take sterner action against these irresponsible bigots and chauvinists.

Ironically, the sexist remarks aimed to show their male bravado and elocutionary prowess only reflect a shrivelled intellect that cannot offer a more reasoned argument. The only recourse they have is to hit out at their own mothers, wives, sisters and daughters by referring to aspects of the religion which favour the men.

The sexist men in the Malaysian Parliament forget that the greater part of their responsibility lies in addressing the relevant issues with constructive ideas and suggestions. Their primary role and function is in nation building not in tearing up its fabric. Well-educated people realise that their honour and integrity lie in the respect they show to others by their own conduct and behaviour, and in their use of language.

A serious effort must be made to re-educate the rakyat’s representatives to ensure that the Malaysian Parliament does not degenerate into a sexist, women-bashing arena!

 

 

GALLANT WOMEN
 
My heart bleeds to see a mother and her daughter standing up to the onslought levelled at their husband/ father for his alleged sexual misconduct. If anything, Datin Seri Wan Azizah and Nurul Izzah are to be admired for their steadfastness in defending Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim against allegations of being the protagonist in the leaked sex video.
 
Although their stance has a lot to do with defending their own political careers and the credibility of the Parti Keadilan leadership, it nevertheless demonstrates two admirable attributes – loyalty and consistency in their family values.
 
Observing the calibre of Malaysian politicians and the oftentimes bad language and incoherent rhetoric they spew, one wonders what is it in the nation’s education system that breeds semi-literates. Looking at the growing dissent among the major political parties and the desperate attempts to discredit one another, one asks where is the decency and integrity among the people chosen by the electorate to represent them. Indeed, what values and priorities do the people uphold when they vote their favourite candidates into power?
 
To hound one male politician for being caught on video with his pants down is hypocricy at the highest level. This should not be the issue here as we are well aware that many others have succumbed to adultery and fornication which are age-old vices across the world. In the current Malaysian case, the man having illicit sex was stupid enough to allow the accomplice or pimp into the same room. This only serves to show either his complete lack of self-respect or his incurable sex addiction. 
 
More than the personal flaws, it shows a Malay Muslim man flaunting his sexual misconduct in the face of a nation struggling to uphold its Islamic integrity. What has happened to the religious and moral guidance provided by the community and spiritual leaders, and by parents and elders in the family?
 
The two gallant women are to be emulated for their true grit and courage. They reflect a world where women are demonstrating real strength of character as men compromise theirs in the bid for power at all levels of society.