Politics, the government, the mass media; always let-downs, hardly lifts.
Unagi, on the other hand, never disappoints. Let us all migrate to Japan.
JustAnotherTragedy
· 2 years ago
We don't call ourselves Malaysian for no reason at all one leh :P
songjun
· 2 years ago
hmm.. got a few points i would say that is not very fair... but im sleepy and tired and didnt really read it properly so not going to rebutt haha :P
sadly though, as 'bad' as our current government is, the opposition is not ready to rule the country if it ever did win really. i actually really cannot fathom anyone in the opposition that could possibly run it.
for now , its sole purpose is to serve as a check and balance. As u can see, only major city areas vote for the opposition where most of the 'educated' and well exposed ppl are. They know whats really going down despite all the hoo ha we hear.
its the same in like the US even. major city or liberal 'educated' areas are usually democrat backed and the more um.. 'hick' areas or christian conservative areas are pro republicans
as i think i mentioned before.. proper democracy would only work when a country has developed to the point where at least 75% of its population was properly intelligent and educated.
however we all know that the world basically is NOT made up of very intelligent ppl and a majority of them dont know squat. thus we get a lot of idiotic happenings in the world. the smart people go to industry and just not bother and make money off the stupid people lol. Illustrated by crack dealers, crack dealers dont do crack themselves.. they make money off the crack heads.
oh and about VT, UK also didnt get much news about it. I found out about it only thru a friend of mine who trolls internet news. Although it is 'world shaking' , it is a domestic problem of the americas and usually do not take precedent in the front page local news because what happens there has no relevance back here. Because the UK has no issues about gun control.. because gun ownership outside of special purposes is illegal. Hence, the only country in the world that i know where gun shooting goes on in public schools is america. Heck, there was a riot in Paris by some workers but as it has no concern to the UK at all, it got a small column in the news.
I think it should get the message right about now of its gun control and ownership issues.
alvin
· 2 years ago
ah, this beats your transexual posting. :)
In response to the post above, I'm not going to pretend I am well aware of the state of our current opposition parties ability to take over the nation because i have spent less that 90 days back home for the last 5 years.
But then who can? Because frankly, they have never been the governing party no? Ever since merdeka, it has always been BN all the way.
I'm not saying they should - they have to earn the rights. But as citizens, we should start throwing out the mindset that DAP is a racist chinese-only party, PAS is an ultra Islamist party and Keadilan is ran by a sodomizer.
In reference to the larger context of the entry above, i think we owe it to ourselves to look around and ask whether all of these seem right? And if not, then maybe it's ok to brief sigh and settle for what we have right now because the alternative is not reassuring enough? [/sarcasm]
melvin
· 2 years ago
again..Su Ann for MPship :)
Lisan
· 2 years ago
woman. lol. you macam, alot of anger vent up inside these days lah.
Jay
· 2 years ago
You know, reading the paper here, it was kind of sickening reading about the VTech shooting everyday. I mean, just reading about that any chance I had to read the paper or watching it on the news, it was just unnerving to be reminded of that event every waking second of you life.
When 9/11 happened, sure, all of us in new york wanted to know what the bloody fuck happened, but we also wanted every fucking news camera and reporter to get out of our faces.
Although we all want to know what happened at VTech, I think the way the media handled it was wrong. But then again, I guess that's the reason I don't work for a paper (anymore).
dawn1o9
· 2 years ago
in our country, there is a god damn fanfair for every single dam opening, bridge opening, road opening, electricity plant opening, etc. Propagandas... propagandas... (noo.. don't take me away.. I was just kidding! :P)
Kelvin
· 2 years ago
You hit the hammer on the nail there. I used to "adore" the Government up till about I'm 18 when I started to have access to other information streams.
Now when I'm in Germany, looking in from the outside, the signs are much more obvious. Malaysia has a loooong way to go.
Also I have something to say, please, do not give in to the "if you don't love the government, you don't love your country" schtick, no matter what they say. "Love your country blindly, but choose a good government to run it."
You see..that is why us Malaysians here in Wichita are planning to form our own party when we go back to Mas!!!!
A party full of engineers and we have a half chinese half malay guy here so we can win the Malay's heart! Parti Jurutera Malaysia, fuhh..damn innovative
entwined
· 2 years ago
good god. i dont EVEN bother reading anything in the nation section beyond the headlines, cos i know the news content is going to piss me off anyway.
now that i am eligible to vote, i've already decided i will vote for the opposition, even if it's just to make a stand and shock the ppl who are resting on their lazy ass laurels, getting all fat and comfy at the top.
Michelle
· 2 years ago
Seriously lor, I WOULD NOT vote for BN. Something I've sworn since my dad told me bout May 13th incident. Maybe you should try reading NST instead of The Star. Their VTech article features 2 pages. =)
Aimee
· 2 years ago
su ann su ann, you know what's really interesting? those people who keeps complaining about how the government sucks are those who DONT EVEN BOTHER TO VOTE! and by failing to vote, sure lah our dearest BN win year after year!
i love this entry.completely enlightening, for a person who wants to vote but is not of age.
oh and you know what pisses me off?? the tale of the two puppies who can sniff pirated dvds -.-"
HK
· 2 years ago
Argh, this isn't exactly the best time for me to write now, internet's crap slow (until this page's themes are all blank and I only see basic fonts and boxes) and I'm feeling rather sick of all this crap that's coming out of the newspapers.
Everytime I open the TheStarOnline, it's the same old sick news on politics.
Everything is politically motivated, racial politics, water politics, media politics, everything!
Pretty much explains why I turn to more centralised and unbiased magazines like The Economist and everything else that's not mainstream media. UK's media circle is pretty much controlled by a single person, more or less. At least it gives a more intellectual view on stuff, more depth and perspective.
Moot point, I prefer criticised views on the government, at least it stirs me up that they are doing something. Also shows why I occasionally cook up some issues in my personal blog, well, just doing what I can do to raise awareness at least.
I don't even bother arguing with ultra-dumb-people-who-have no-idea-what-they-are-talking-about when-they-say-BN-rocks, it's just so wrong!
Argh, I feel you deeply. At least mainstream media in UK allows constructive criticism in the press, rather than over here where everything is played down as sedition and nonsense. Oh for heaven's sake, the damned politicians are not god, dammit! Still, I love M'sia, and missing it lots! =)
HK
· 2 years ago
arrr.. lots of mistakes, grammatical and syntactical, in that last post. My apologies!!
george
· 2 years ago
i learn more about malaysia each time i read your posts about our country..i haven't picked up the newspaper in ages (picking it up from my mailbox and dropping it onto the table doesn't count)
'but hello??? is that not what the cops are supposed to do?! their JOB?' i LOLed here :p
Sung
· 2 years ago
I happen to be looking for another blog, through su ann's blog, when i saw another su ann on her link. This is interesting...interesting..haha
kiasu andrew
· 2 years ago
HAHAHAHA MUACKS!
Lalita
· 2 years ago
Interesting post - as usual of course =) But I have to agree with some of Songjun's post - are the opposition really ready to knuckle down and show the rakyat that they are worthy of their vote? Prepared to take on the mantle of giving us a just goverment (does that exist anywhere in this world??) Also, I do think in our tanahair, that there are some who actually love BN so vote for them, some who don't love BN and vote for the Opposition, some who think, why bother, BN is going to win anyway and Opposition is below par hence I worry what will happen if I vote for them so since I have no real choice, will not vote for anyone. As for Newspapers, in this country, if you value your editorial ass, you will kowtow to what the government wants you to write because then it will be a repeat of that Sarawakian newspaper right, that ran the Prophet Muhammad cartoons and then got suspended. So people are too scared to write what they want to because they know what the government will do to them. Sad, but true. Now I am not condoning them writing crap of course, because like you say, and very rightly so, police are paid to do their job as are the Customs Dept. BUT the truth of the matter remains - basically if you want to keep your ass, you have to kiss that higher ass. What to do, right? So disgustinglah this culture that the government has carefully cultivated over the years but that is unfortunate reality. Malaysia doesn't have the rep of being the one country that practices Open Discrimination for nothin' ya know.
Lalita
· 2 years ago
I forgot to add one comment - what you said about blaming bloggers for everything! Yeah, that is really sicklah. I mean, does the govt think people cannot think for themselves? They must do, and they must believe that their sad indoctrination has created millions of stupid Malaysians who will just blindly believe without question. Everytime something happens, just blame the bloggers. Don't actually try and even find the root of the problem. Aiyah!!! Come on opposition, step up the game and put your efforts into trying to win that vote of confidence.
nat
· 2 years ago
lets just say the Comic section gives so much more of what's going on. far much more realistic, and er, sarcastic in a sense. Its not only Singaporeans who live up to the term 'kiasu'. In fact, we do too. Everybody's so afraid of being the odd one. They wouldn't be able to cheer and celebrate with all the other kiasu friends of thiers when BN unsurprisingly wins again. The kopitiam uncles and aunties who hold meetings every morning, they look at you differently. So even if they didn't vote for BN, they have to force a lie and insist they did. Something like that. Its more of a 'muka' thing.
Or maybe, they just have no idea what the motives of the other oppositions are. All they know is BN BN BN. and because its so overrated.
everybody wants a piece of the last LV pouch on the rack.
tze
· 2 years ago
i was talking to pugin about your post and he said that the opposition are not good enough to run the country also wtf.
and i dont necessarily agree with nat, i feel that a lot of people are very outspoken about who they vote for. a lot of people around me anyways. there is no(t enough) freedom of speech in msia but there are quite a few who dare speak up. the lv pouch theory does not ring true for me but to each its own.
oh ya su ann hahaha the other day at my place there was this mca guy who gave us free food for some gathering and used it as an excuse to run a political rally. my brother got so pissed and the next day, went to him and started questioning him about mca's policy wtf. telling him that mca is make chinese angry wtf. u should have a talk with my brother, he is one smart ass guy who's like u. me? im only interested in whether lv will release lv mini lin speedy in 25 or not T_T
mrbherng
· 2 years ago
Song Jun, VT is on many newspaper in the UK. Headlines on most of the free papers in London ( I was there then) and Metro has it as it's headlines too.
newspaper had always been a propaganda media for the political parties worldwide. Just looked at the current French presidential election, most newspaper in France eg Le Monde. Supports Sarkozy while the left wing Liberation goes all out for Royal. It's the same in the UK, nearly all papers are inclined to a certain party.
The problem with Malaysia is that the media is controlled by one party. The opposition do not have the financial ability to get hold of any of them.
I am not supporting the current pathetic press freedom in Malaysia, but it's happening everywhere. Malaysia will need many more years before a strong opposition party will arise.
Oh enough, you just made me wonder why have I not been shooting the newspaper in my blog for quite sometime now =/ *pondering*
smiley
· 2 years ago
funny, thinking all this coming from coffee stains underneath that mug. A good read though.
Asyraf Lee
· 2 years ago
welcome to Malaysia
bs
· 2 years ago
aiya sudahlah. i read newspapers just for the comics n interesting columns. totally ditch the headlines. call me ignorant. ignorance is bliss.
Yun
· 2 years ago
yeah, im really annoyed at how our newspapers are so pro government. this was especially evident during the ijok and machap by elections. and i do agree with songjun about how the opposition is not ready to rule the country yet...however, i believe it is much more constructive for the country to have healthy competition between the opposition and the government. right now, i just think i government is too complacent about their position. They know they will win anyway, so they continue doing the things that benefit themselves more than the country. and if youre tired of reading the newspapers here in malaysia, there are some websites around that are not controlled by any party.. :)
bubbles
· 2 years ago
I thought it was 25.6 million at the banci survey bout 2-3 years ago???
MichelleSY
· 2 years ago
Having a mother in the media ranks, it makes my blood run cold to hear what the 'gahmen' is capable of.
If this persists, the powers that be might as well take up permanent residence in newspaper offices across the nation and personally edit every single effing word that gets to be published these days.
I never, ever read Msian newspapers anymore. I can't do that and maintain my sanity.
My sister does, and after every perusal her blood pressure spikes another couple of points and she's grumpier than usual for the rest of the day.
Q: Would you love someone who doesn't love you back? A: Only if you're a crazy masochistic SOB who delights in unrequited, unconsummated relationships.
ps: Do they still do those glorious, oh-look-at-us, aren't-we-da-shit photocalls, where they crush oh, maybe a couple of thousand pirated dvds with a steamroller?
Cos that's like, so important right? And those DVDs, they'll, like affect the future of the nation right? And those pirated movies, will, like bring rack and ruin to the GDP right?
Of course we're, like, totally going buy into that right? Cos we like, have as many brain cells as like, Paris Hilton right?
Wtf.
Miracle
· 2 years ago
Song Jun: Sometimes it's not a matter of whether the Opposition can overthrow the current ruling coalition. We know that's not going to happen for many reasons. Political stability affects economical stablity. Most businessmen are pro-BN because political stability encourages foreign investors to invest in our country. Political stability also means that Malaysia has a strong foot in the international arena. Political stability also affects social security. Give any opposition party the chance to rule the country for one year, of course things are going to go wrong. BN has been ruling for 50 years and "how far have we come?"
But if the Opposition has a lot of votes (like 35-49%) it shows that there's one third to half the nation who is unhappy with the current ruling coalition. Places in the Parliament where they can voice their opinions and act as a check and balance for whatever plans the BN wants to impose also means that there will be a certain level of democracy maintained in Parliament. Also, knowing that there are so many people who are unhappy with them (BN) will mean that they should buck up, keep to their promises and actually pay attention to real problems instead of bitching about each other. Monopoly has never been good in anything. A healthy competition is always good as it makes each party progress to garner votes.
And truth be told, the opposition doesn't exactly have a space to inform the public what they want to do or can do for the country. The newspaper is still and will always be the main source for information until every single person in Malaysia is computer-savvy and has access to the Internet. And then comes the questions of whether they will look for political information on the opposition parties. Given that ALL forms of mass media in Malaysia is controlled or somehow regulated by the government, it is almost impossible for them to inform the public about their agenda.
Miracle
· 2 years ago
Su Ann: You should probably consider the many repressive laws the journalists are "bounded" to. Not to mention us bloggers. Or more like, every single person in Malaysia la. Sedition Act, Printing Presses and Publications Act, Defamation Act, Libel something or other... ISA.
That's also another reason why journalists do not write the things they should. The government has instilled so much fear in everyone, that if we dare so much as move, we can be chucked in the ISA.
The journalists are actually told what they can or cannot write in the newspapers. I'm sure you know this already though. They cannot raise any "sensitive issues". Under this is the mention of the word "suicide", discussing religion (a ban by Pak Lah last year), criticizing the ruling coalition (a "threat" to national security).. among others. It's an actual policy which they have to adhere to. Or they can be tried under the Sedition Actor ISA..
It's a sad life for our journalists. They basically have nothing to talk about.
Stephanie
· 2 years ago
I remember once during my primary school years, there was a general election and i told my mum as she was going off to vote; "vote for BN ah". Newspaper propaganda can work on the mind of a primary school kid.
But really, there is no "very outstanding local political party" if you're looking at it from the point of the ability to govern. There are some outstanding political figures in the parties but not the whole party itself. Shahrir Samad and Lim Kit Siang are good examples.
jonathanlim
· 2 years ago
i havent read the papers for a year now...theyre kinda expensive here...i didnt finish up with readin ur entry either. i wanna remain as that katak.
songjun
· 2 years ago
miracle : yes i know, i just mentioned that to many its a system of check and balance. and the people have proven that they CAN be pissed at government. Terrenganu defected to PAS and then 5 years later decided that they're the worst of the 2 devils then went back to BN. So did kelantan constituencies just managing to hold 1 or 2 above BN.
and no, i dont think the business leaders vote BN, look at the demographics of opposition held areas, they are city centers with high income groups, usually owning businesses of their own.
heck,i'd say lot of business leaders hate how BN is doing with the way they do things,especially with all that cronism and who u know before things get done attitude. i had an interview with scomi the other day.. omg i wouldnt want to work with them. They have such 'old guard'views and ways of thinking. Speaking to them just made me feel like talking to those air head politicians we have. Our central bank intrigues me though, they're open enough to admit they have to change and are changing when i was going thru an interview with them.
U see, our government and u know who mindset are slowly changing..slowlybut surely. Does NEP work?Yes. Is it biassed? Yes. So what? Its not like we really need their help anyway.
and its good living in a strong opposition held area..my housing area gets really pretty when election time comes around ;) gahmen paves the road and trims the trees HAHA SEPUTEHHH!!! :D
Vicnan
· 2 years ago
On the bright side, it isn't just Malaysian media. On the down side, it isn't just Malaysian media.
The media's role as a fourth estate isn't one that translates globally, as much as people wish.
It's something learnt very quickly; you know I'm on my internship now, and it still amazes me how many of my year-mates are astounded by the fluffiness of the industry – no duh?
Alex
· 2 years ago
it is the very first time I see you blog about political stuff, i think you will end up an activist like her when u grow UP :P
there is this strange and classic scenario, where people constantly ridicule BN, vote for them anyway, and give the excuse that the "OPPOSTION ARE NOT READY OR RICH ENOUGH TO PROPAGATE THE COUNTRY'S DEVELOPMENT". in this case, it is clear that the basis of politics is misconstrued. at the end of the day, minus all that "shady business" the enlightened citizens know of, and tags like "satu lagi projek Barisan Nasional", we have to understand that the development of a nation depends on the TAXPAYERS' money. that is the basis of it. Fair enough, opposition parties will take a long time to reverse unnecessary budgets placed on unnecessary projects; projects which i do not need to mention, *cough* istana *cough*. at the end of the day, we do not know how opposition will fare and whether or not their perceptions and ideologies are merely empty words. Still, at the current state we are in, this country is going to the dogs, i tell you. It happened to Phillipines during the 70's and look where they are now, it'll happen to us too.
sweat
· 2 years ago
that's why, ladies and gents, that's exactly why i don't read the paper. i rather read my murakami books
Anonymous
· 2 years ago
fuck yourself. i voted keadilan, dap and pas.
bn still wins. but at least i don't whine about it. go vote :P
nickie
· 2 years ago
true to the core. i was just thinkin bout blogging the same stuff and here you spoke my mind. and yes, there is much anger in me too.
but here's the thing. what can we do about it? think of one way or ways to change the malaysian situation and i'll support you till the end. cuz i've exhausted my brainpower trying to come up with one but failing so far.
girl i hope you're still passionate bout our country and care bout her enough to do something bout it 5 to 10 years down the road. a lot of people i know let the disappointments bury their passion and love for the country as time goes by, and cynicism is what's left in them. which i find it really sad becuz there are actually things that can be done, even though we might not be able to see the results in our lifetime. but u know - even the little things matter, in a long run. and perhaps if we start now, our great grandchildren will enjoy what we fight for. so are you willing to fight for what you believe? or do you rather close one eye and enjoy Cosmopolitan or US weekly in a coffee house at a posh neighborhood and pretend everything is okay?!
pls dont be offended by my last question. it is, by no means, intended to make it sound like the latter choice is wrong or bad. but that's just the way it is, human nature. we tend to take the easier path. but i love what you wrote, and really hope that you'd become one of our future leaders who'd make a difference. the country needs more ppl like you! but of cuz, it all boils down to what you want or who you wanna be.
All Comments
Politics, the government, the mass media; always let-downs, hardly lifts.
Unagi, on the other hand, never disappoints. Let us all migrate to Japan.
sadly though, as 'bad' as our current government is, the opposition is not ready to rule the country if it ever did win really. i actually really cannot fathom anyone in the opposition that could possibly run it.
for now , its sole purpose is to serve as a check and balance. As u can see, only major city areas vote for the opposition where most of the 'educated' and well exposed ppl are. They know whats really going down despite all the hoo ha we hear.
its the same in like the US even. major city or liberal 'educated' areas are usually democrat backed and the more um.. 'hick' areas or christian conservative areas are pro republicans
as i think i mentioned before.. proper democracy would only work when a country has developed to the point where at least 75% of its population was properly intelligent and educated.
however we all know that the world basically is NOT made up of very intelligent ppl and a majority of them dont know squat. thus we get a lot of idiotic happenings in the world. the smart people go to industry and just not bother and make money off the stupid people lol. Illustrated by crack dealers, crack dealers dont do crack themselves.. they make money off the crack heads.
oh and about VT, UK also didnt get much news about it. I found out about it only thru a friend of mine who trolls internet news.
Although it is 'world shaking' , it is a domestic problem of the americas and usually do not take precedent in the front page local news because what happens there has no relevance back here. Because the UK has no issues about gun control.. because gun ownership outside of special purposes is illegal. Hence, the only country in the world that i know where gun shooting goes on in public schools is america. Heck, there was a riot in Paris by some workers but as it has no concern to the UK at all, it got a small column in the news.
I think it should get the message right about now of its gun control and ownership issues.
In response to the post above, I'm not going to pretend I am well aware of the state of our current opposition parties ability to take over the nation because i have spent less that 90 days back home for the last 5 years.
But then who can? Because frankly, they have never been the governing party no? Ever since merdeka, it has always been BN all the way.
I'm not saying they should - they have to earn the rights. But as citizens, we should start throwing out the mindset that DAP is a racist chinese-only party, PAS is an ultra Islamist party and Keadilan is ran by a sodomizer.
In reference to the larger context of the entry above, i think we owe it to ourselves to look around and ask whether all of these seem right? And if not, then maybe it's ok to brief sigh and settle for what we have right now because the alternative is not reassuring enough? [/sarcasm]
When 9/11 happened, sure, all of us in new york wanted to know what the bloody fuck happened, but we also wanted every fucking news camera and reporter to get out of our faces.
Although we all want to know what happened at VTech, I think the way the media handled it was wrong. But then again, I guess that's the reason I don't work for a paper (anymore).
Now when I'm in Germany, looking in from the outside, the signs are much more obvious. Malaysia has a loooong way to go.
Also I have something to say, please, do not give in to the "if you don't love the government, you don't love your country" schtick, no matter what they say. "Love your country blindly, but choose a good government to run it."
Don't forget to vote when you turn 21!
P.S: Coincidently, I did a political satire piece recently. http://kelvin-lew.com
A party full of engineers and we have a half chinese half malay guy here so we can win the Malay's heart!
Parti Jurutera Malaysia, fuhh..damn innovative
now that i am eligible to vote, i've already decided i will vote for the opposition, even if it's just to make a stand and shock the ppl who are resting on their lazy ass laurels, getting all fat and comfy at the top.
Maybe you should try reading NST instead of The Star. Their VTech article features 2 pages. =)
i love this entry.completely enlightening, for a person who wants to vote but is not of age.
oh and you know what pisses me off?? the tale of the two puppies who can sniff pirated dvds -.-"
Everytime I open the TheStarOnline, it's the same old sick news on politics.
Everything is politically motivated, racial politics, water politics, media politics, everything!
Pretty much explains why I turn to more centralised and unbiased magazines like The Economist and everything else that's not mainstream media. UK's media circle is pretty much controlled by a single person, more or less. At least it gives a more intellectual view on stuff, more depth and perspective.
Moot point, I prefer criticised views on the government, at least it stirs me up that they are doing something. Also shows why I occasionally cook up some issues in my personal blog, well, just doing what I can do to raise awareness at least.
I don't even bother arguing with ultra-dumb-people-who-have no-idea-what-they-are-talking-about when-they-say-BN-rocks, it's just so wrong!
Argh, I feel you deeply. At least mainstream media in UK allows constructive criticism in the press, rather than over here where everything is played down as sedition and nonsense. Oh for heaven's sake, the damned politicians are not god, dammit! Still, I love M'sia, and missing it lots! =)
'but hello??? is that not what the cops are supposed to do?! their JOB?' i LOLed here :p
Also, I do think in our tanahair, that there are some who actually love BN so vote for them, some who don't love BN and vote for the Opposition, some who think, why bother, BN is going to win anyway and Opposition is below par hence I worry what will happen if I vote for them so since I have no real choice, will not vote for anyone.
As for Newspapers, in this country, if you value your editorial ass, you will kowtow to what the government wants you to write because then it will be a repeat of that Sarawakian newspaper right, that ran the Prophet Muhammad cartoons and then got suspended. So people are too scared to write what they want to because they know what the government will do to them. Sad, but true.
Now I am not condoning them writing crap of course, because like you say, and very rightly so, police are paid to do their job as are the Customs Dept. BUT the truth of the matter remains - basically if you want to keep your ass, you have to kiss that higher ass. What to do, right? So disgustinglah this culture that the government has carefully cultivated over the years but that is unfortunate reality.
Malaysia doesn't have the rep of being the one country that practices Open Discrimination for nothin' ya know.
Aiyah!!! Come on opposition, step up the game and put your efforts into trying to win that vote of confidence.
Or maybe, they just have no idea what the motives of the other oppositions are. All they know is BN BN BN. and because its so overrated.
everybody wants a piece of the last LV pouch on the rack.
and i dont necessarily agree with nat, i feel that a lot of people are very outspoken about who they vote for. a lot of people around me anyways. there is no(t enough) freedom of speech in msia but there are quite a few who dare speak up. the lv pouch theory does not ring true for me but to each its own.
oh ya su ann hahaha the other day at my place there was this mca guy who gave us free food for some gathering and used it as an excuse to run a political rally. my brother got so pissed and the next day, went to him and started questioning him about mca's policy wtf. telling him that mca is make chinese angry wtf. u should have a talk with my brother, he is one smart ass guy who's like u. me? im only interested in whether lv will release lv mini lin speedy in 25 or not T_T
newspaper had always been a propaganda media for the political parties worldwide. Just looked at the current French presidential election, most newspaper in France eg Le Monde. Supports Sarkozy while the left wing Liberation goes all out for Royal. It's the same in the UK, nearly all papers are inclined to a certain party.
The problem with Malaysia is that the media is controlled by one party. The opposition do not have the financial ability to get hold of any of them.
I am not supporting the current pathetic press freedom in Malaysia, but it's happening everywhere. Malaysia will need many more years before a strong opposition party will arise.
Oh enough, you just made me wonder why have I not been shooting the newspaper in my blog for quite sometime now =/ *pondering*
and i do agree with songjun about how the opposition is not ready to rule the country yet...however, i believe it is much more constructive for the country to have healthy competition between the opposition and the government. right now, i just think i government is too complacent about their position. They know they will win anyway, so they continue doing the things that benefit themselves more than the country.
and if youre tired of reading the newspapers here in malaysia, there are some websites around that are not controlled by any party.. :)
If this persists, the powers that be might as well take up permanent residence in newspaper offices across the nation and personally edit every single effing word that gets to be published these days.
I never, ever read Msian newspapers anymore. I can't do that and maintain my sanity.
My sister does, and after every perusal her blood pressure spikes another couple of points and she's grumpier than usual for the rest of the day.
Q: Would you love someone who doesn't love you back?
A: Only if you're a crazy masochistic SOB who delights in unrequited, unconsummated relationships.
ps: Do they still do those glorious, oh-look-at-us, aren't-we-da-shit photocalls, where they crush oh, maybe a couple of thousand pirated dvds with a steamroller?
Cos that's like, so important right? And those DVDs, they'll, like affect the future of the nation right? And those pirated movies, will, like bring rack and ruin to the GDP right?
Of course we're, like, totally going buy into that right? Cos we like, have as many brain cells as like, Paris Hilton right?
Wtf.
But if the Opposition has a lot of votes (like 35-49%) it shows that there's one third to half the nation who is unhappy with the current ruling coalition. Places in the Parliament where they can voice their opinions and act as a check and balance for whatever plans the BN wants to impose also means that there will be a certain level of democracy maintained in Parliament. Also, knowing that there are so many people who are unhappy with them (BN) will mean that they should buck up, keep to their promises and actually pay attention to real problems instead of bitching about each other. Monopoly has never been good in anything. A healthy competition is always good as it makes each party progress to garner votes.
And truth be told, the opposition doesn't exactly have a space to inform the public what they want to do or can do for the country. The newspaper is still and will always be the main source for information until every single person in Malaysia is computer-savvy and has access to the Internet. And then comes the questions of whether they will look for political information on the opposition parties. Given that ALL forms of mass media in Malaysia is controlled or somehow regulated by the government, it is almost impossible for them to inform the public about their agenda.
That's also another reason why journalists do not write the things they should. The government has instilled so much fear in everyone, that if we dare so much as move, we can be chucked in the ISA.
The journalists are actually told what they can or cannot write in the newspapers. I'm sure you know this already though. They cannot raise any "sensitive issues". Under this is the mention of the word "suicide", discussing religion (a ban by Pak Lah last year), criticizing the ruling coalition (a "threat" to national security).. among others. It's an actual policy which they have to adhere to. Or they can be tried under the Sedition Actor ISA..
It's a sad life for our journalists. They basically have nothing to talk about.
But really, there is no "very outstanding local political party" if you're looking at it from the point of the ability to govern. There are some outstanding political figures in the parties but not the whole party itself. Shahrir Samad and Lim Kit Siang are good examples.
and no, i dont think the business leaders vote BN, look at the demographics of opposition held areas, they are city centers with high income groups, usually owning businesses of their own.
heck,i'd say lot of business leaders hate how BN is doing with the way they do things,especially with all that cronism and who u know before things get done attitude. i had an interview with scomi the other day.. omg i wouldnt want to work with them. They have such 'old guard'views and ways of thinking. Speaking to them just made me feel like talking to those air head politicians we have. Our central bank intrigues me though, they're open enough to admit they have to change and are changing when i was going thru an interview with them.
U see, our government and u know who mindset are slowly changing..slowlybut surely. Does NEP work?Yes. Is it biassed? Yes. So what? Its not like we really need their help anyway.
and its good living in a strong opposition held area..my housing area gets really pretty when election time comes around ;) gahmen paves the road and trims the trees HAHA SEPUTEHHH!!! :D
The media's role as a fourth estate isn't one that translates globally, as much as people wish.
It's something learnt very quickly; you know I'm on my internship now, and it still amazes me how many of my year-mates are astounded by the fluffiness of the industry – no duh?
http://elizabethwong.wordpress.com/
i rather read my murakami books
bn still wins. but at least i don't whine about it. go vote :P
but here's the thing. what can we do about it? think of one way or ways to change the malaysian situation and i'll support you till the end. cuz i've exhausted my brainpower trying to come up with one but failing so far.
girl i hope you're still passionate bout our country and care bout her enough to do something bout it 5 to 10 years down the road. a lot of people i know let the disappointments bury their passion and love for the country as time goes by, and cynicism is what's left in them. which i find it really sad becuz there are actually things that can be done, even though we might not be able to see the results in our lifetime. but u know - even the little things matter, in a long run. and perhaps if we start now, our great grandchildren will enjoy what we fight for. so are you willing to fight for what you believe? or do you rather close one eye and enjoy Cosmopolitan or US weekly in a coffee house at a posh neighborhood and pretend everything is okay?!
pls dont be offended by my last question. it is, by no means, intended to make it sound like the latter choice is wrong or bad. but that's just the way it is, human nature. we tend to take the easier path. but i love what you wrote, and really hope that you'd become one of our future leaders who'd make a difference. the country needs more ppl like you! but of cuz, it all boils down to what you want or who you wanna be.