Life After Forty

Gov’t does not fear bloggers, wants to be part of them

KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 (Bernama) — The government does not fear bloggers but wants to be part of them and know their views even if it is constructive criticism, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“I believe this relationship will be an important relationship based on mutual respect. We might not agree all the time but we cannot be disagreeable.

“What is important for us is to put forward your (bloggers) views, even your constructive critism and together we can build a better Malaysia and future for us,” he said in his keynote address at the First Malaysia-Asean Regional Bloggers’ Conference, here, today.

Also present were the patron of Blog House Malaysia Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, president of Blog House Malaysia Syed Akbar Ali and Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Najib said the era of government knowing everything was over and the government needed to know from bloggers who represented the Malaysian community, their views and criticism.

“But we should draw the line; if we use the cyberspace to tell lies and half truths, that is wrong. I agree with Tun Dr Mahathir that there must be a line that we cannot trespass.”

He said if bloggers worked within those parameters, he believed they could indeed play a vital part in shaping a better future for Malaysia and Asean.

Najib said the governments of today were being challenged not just with the use of guerillas and mercenaries armed to the teeth with deadly weapons, but also by the deployment of cybertroopers who waged viral warfare with the might of their keyboards, keypads and smartphones, as the Iran “Twitter” and Egypt “Facebook” Revolution manifested.

“We are also one of the most ardent Facebook fans – there are 10.1 million FB users. I have no doubt whatsoever that Malaysia has one of the liveliest blogospheres in the world and definitely one of the freest if not the most free.

“Malaysians have to thank Tun Dr Mahathir again for this. When he was prime minister and Malaysia was developing its Multimedia Super Corridor, Tun made the promise to the world that Malaysia would never censor the Internet. My government is fully committed to that wisdom; we intend to keep his word,” he said.

Najib believes that the Internet is an engine for economic growth, the portal that opens up to a knowledge society.

“This is applicable to all societies, even a government that is not too keen about the democracy part of ‘digital democracy’ should embrace the digital part, as the economic implications are simply too great to ignore.

“The social media, blogging and microblogging are capable of bringing nations closer as for the first time in the history of mankind, people are
able to communicate with each other in real time and without having to wait for days or even weeks for the mail,” he said.

The two-day conference, starting yesterday with the theme of “Blogging Mindfully and Responsibly” is organised by Blog House Malaysia, an association that provides a platform to derive defensive mechanisms to protect the plethora of bloggers in blogosphere, especially on Malaysia and Malaysia-centric postings.

The objective of this conference is to bring together regional bloggers from the Asean region and to highlight the obstacles faced by these bloggers as well as the adversity that bloggers might experience in their day-to-day tackling of various issues. — BERNAMA

Posted by James Joshua on April 24th, 2011

Mainstream media should criticise the government occasionally, Tun Mahathir

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KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 (Bernama) — Mainstream media in the country should allow themselves to be critical of the government now and then, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said that many were unwilling to criticise the government as they felt that they should support it all the way.

Dr Mahathir said the mainstream media also practised self-censorship, and this had given the wrong impression that they were being censored by the government.

“So, the government sometimes gets lopsided views about what the public is thinking. They (media) think that they should self-censor.

“And, of course, this gives the impression that it’s the government who’s restricting them,” he said at the inaugural Malaysia-Asean Bloggers Forum opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak here today.

Dr Mahathir, who is also patron of Blog House Malaysia which organises the event, said constructive criticism should be given when it was for the betterment of the country.

He said while bloggers should give fair treatment to the government and the people through their blogsites, they themselves should be treated fairly and justly.

About 35 bloggers from the region are taking part in the forum which carries the theme “Blogging Mindfully and Responsibly”. — BERNAMA

Posted by James Joshua on April 24th, 2011

Pakatan Rakyat set to discuss Sarawak Parliamentary seat allocation

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Pix by SarawakUpdate.com

KUCHING, April 24 (Bernama) — Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) will only discuss matters pertaining to parliamentary seat allocations among the opposition pact in Sarawak, in preparation for the next general election, at a forum next week.

In this regard, PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said DAP should air its views on the matter at an appropriate forum rather than opting to make demands which may offend other members of the pact outside such a forum.

He told reporters this after attending a gathering with Sarawak PKR leaders here today.

Meanwhile, Sarawak PKR liaison chief Baru Bian said DAP, which won 12 seats in the recent Sarawak election, would get to lead the opposition in the next state assembly. — BERNAMA

Who will Barisan Nasional nominate to defend the seats in Sarawak? Report card and progressive reports are your key to get supports from the voters, especially the young ones. Time is short and JAMESJG.com hopes that the recent DUN Sarawak has set a benchmark for Barisan Nasional’s Parliamentary candidates to take note. If you think you have not done enough, don’t sacrifice the seat because of ego and stubbornness, let the younger and energetic party candidate takes over.

Posted by James Joshua on April 24th, 2011

The first ever 1st Malaysia – ASEAN Regional Bloggers Conference kicks off today

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KUALA LUMPUR, 23 April 2011 – Bloggers from ASEAN countries converge in Kuala Lumpur today to participate in the 1st Malaysia-ASEAN Regional Bloggers Conference.

Tomorrow, we will have the chance to meet up with Malaysia’s No.1 blogger – Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and of course the man who twits and Facebook his daily thoughts, our YAB Prime Minister – Najib Tun Razak.

Kuala Lumpur Declaration On Blogging and Social Media

The establishment of an ASEAN Social Media and Blogging network to promote understanding, good relations, unity and co-operation.
To assist achieving and promoting the common values and aspirations of goodwill and to promote greater understand through social media.
To promote the freedom of expression, freedom of information and freedom from prosecution in South East Asia.
To promote ethical practices in social media by constantly encouraging engagement.
To meet regularly and promote the growth and progress of social media in ASEAN.

Posted by James Joshua on April 23rd, 2011

Raja Petra: Kalau kerja senang membangkang pun tak dapat, macam mana nak memerintah?

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KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) masih gagal bersatu berikutan percanggahan ideologi antara ketiga-tiga parti selain pemimpinnya, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yang hilang keupayaan menjaga parti, kata Raja Petra Kamarudin dalam satu temubual di TV3 malam tadi.

Beliau yang juga rakan karib Anwar pada suatu ketika dulu memberitahu, ketua pembangkang itu tidak mampu menguruskan Selangor selain gagal membentuk kerajaan pada 16 September 2008 menyebabkan pengundi semakin hilang kepercayaan terhadap pembangkang.

Raja Petra , yang merupakan pengendali blog Malaysia Today itu menuduh Anwar gagal melaksanakan ‘janji-janji kosong’ yang dicanang-canangkan semasa pilihan raya umum 2008.

“Jadi, jika pembangkang tidak dapat buktikan kebolehan mereka, bagaimana rakyat nak yakin dengan keupayaan mereka menubuhkan kerajaan, kerana jadi pembangkang senang, hanya bangkang tapi tak perlu laksana.”

“Tapi bila jadi kerajaan, kita perlu laksanakan, kritik senang tapi kita nak laksankaan apa yang cakap itu yang susah, jika jadi pembangkang pun sudah gagal, apatah lagi bentuk kerajaan,” katanya dalam sesi temubual ekslusif bahagian kedua yang disiarkan oleh saluran berita kerajaan, TV3.

PR merupakan gabungan tiga parti iaitu PKR, DAP dan PAS yang ditubuhkan tidak lama selepas pilihan raya umum 2008.

“Namun jika jadi parti pembangkanng pun sudah gagal, sudah pasti rakyat tidak yakin dengan keupayaan mereka menubuhkan kerajaan. Ramai orang bersuara kepada saya, mereka sudah tidak yakin dengan pembangkang.”

Blogger itu menambah, kegagalan PR melaksanakan pembentukan kerajaan pada 16 September 2008 dan kegagalan menubuhkan kabinet bayangan telah menjadi punca rakyat hilang kepercayaan dan sokongan kepada pembangkang.

“Dan oleh kerana isu 16 September di mana ramai orang percaya janji Anwar termasuk saya, yang pada masa itu dalam tahanan Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) di Kamunting.”

“Anwar datang jumpa saya di mahkamah dan beritahu jangan susah kerana “tak lama lagi awak akan keluar sebab kita akan bentuk kerajaan pada 16 September,” kata Raja Petra.

Bekas editor Suara Keadilan itu turut menuduh Anwar menafikan hak ahli-ahli parti untuk bersuara, dan apabila ada sesiapa pemimpin yang bersuara mengkritik pemimpin parti, tindakan akan diambil terhadap mereka.

“Di Selangor, Datuk Hasan Ali keluar dengan kenyataan yang berbeza dari dasar kerajaan, Hasan Ali cakap itu dasar PAS, tetapi PAS pula kata itu pandangan peribadi..,bahkan PAS tidak bersetuju.

Raja Petra berkata, satu isu yang cukup jelas mengambarkan kegagalan PR dalam mentadbir Selangor ialah berhubung isu penjualan arak pada 2009.

“Orang sudah keliru, boleh ke tak boleh, yang ini kata boleh, yang tu cakap rampas, satu lagi cakap tak boleh rampas yang ni kata serah balik tak boleh rampas, jadi Anwar Ibrahim sepatutnya jadi penasihat negeri Selangor.”

“Ada pernah dia keluar kenyatan ini dasar kita?, tidak, sementara yang dibawah bergaduh. Ini bukan contoh kepimpinan yang baik. Pemimpin mesti tahu bagaimana untuk mengawal anak-anak buahnya,” katanya.

Posted by James Joshua on April 15th, 2011

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