How bloggers lend context to issues
In my numerous lectures and presentations on blogs, both locally and internationally, I alway stressed the rudiments of blogs as encased by such pioneers like Dan Gillmor -- Blogs give context to issues that are unfolding, and de-mystify the spin-doctoring that goes around them.
That's the sacred job of a "responsible blogger".
I am pleased that journo-blogger The Scribe has demonstrated that context-giving role of Malaysian bloggers in a refreshing angle, which we could loosely categorise as "political economy" onion-peeled.
In his latest post, The Scribe gives a context to PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi 's strong-hold to the national coffers, a whooping RM46.6 billion allocated for the 9th Malaysia Plan.
In the context of "political economy", according to The Scribe, it means Abdullah is "the most powerful Prime Minister" this country has ever had "since he has at his disposal a large amount of development funds to be spent".
For the benefit of readers who don't read the Malay language that well, he has laboured for an English summary here.
RM46.6 billion of taxpayers' money! According to Rocky's Bru, another journo-blogger, that's how much Abdullah the Prime Minister has empowered himself to approve for you and I.
That's more than double Dr M's budget as PM under the previous 5-year plan (RM20.8 billion), he said..
Net net, taxpayers' money will buy Abdullah lots of political recognition and mileage, thus entrenching the neo-feudal patronage system in the generation general election to come.
Context, my friends, context!
Comments
Folks
The trouble is that Pak Lah, the Ministers and the UMNO-infested bureacrates in the Govt Ministries and Depts think all that money belongs to UMNO and UMNO Youth.
They conveniently forget that the money was collected by the Inland Revenu and Tax Dept from tax payers. Yes, CHINESE, non-UMNO Malays and Indian taxpayers.
And they use this hard earned tax payers money to enrich UMNO cronies through CLOSED tenders, and not allowing Parliament any oversight over the money spent.
And to think of it: Malaysians will still vote for UMNO, MCA and MIC to win Govt in the next election, based on all the political pundits' prediction.
As for the Malaysian Chinese and Indians, a vote for MCA and MIC is a vote for UMNO to rule this country again... possibly with more keris wielding in public and more racial bias on Govt scholarships, University places and govt contracts.
Don't whinge at the next BN Govt... save your whining at your own children for their bad behaviour instead.
Posted by: Frank&Honest![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 13, 2007 09:25 AM
Most powerful? I think the idea is laughable.
IMHO, what we currently see is just continuity of Mahathirism. All national policy still under EXTREMELY heavy politicking influence. The gahmen still have big ambitions but short-sighted thinking similar to Mahathirism era.
So called elite is still inherit Mahathirism mindset, they simply go ahead with "development", "progress" without thinking their surrounding. Their method of "compete" is nothing but regionalism. And elite that held good virtues, are screen out as their virtues become their biggest weakness in politics.
And come into voting, thanks to the absurd election councils, a kampung 5000 ADUN is equivalent to 20,000 urban ADUN. This is a good news to the incumbent to dilute the middle class votes.
However, if the trend continue, Malaysia will continue to be 3rd world. Worst, the world history show that, POOR INCOME GROUP only promote REVOLUTION, while only the middle-income people are able to help country EVOLUTION in PEACE.
Posted by: moo_t![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 13, 2007 02:02 PM