FNF in Malaysian Blogosphere

Starting from our Young Socio-Political Entrepreneur Project Competition in early 2006, FNF’s Malaysia Project has expanded its work to promote the freedom of expression in that country through blogging workshops and trainings. Blogging is an open space where people are free to express their opinion on anything ranging from the current socio-economic and political development to things related to individual interest. In Malaysia, not anyone can write and say what they like. There are so many acts and laws to detain and call in for questions those who say or write against the government.

Recently, two famous Malaysian bloggers namely Jeff Ooi and Rocky Bru were sued by the leading English newspaper NST which is owned by the government. This development has led to the idea to embrace and engage all bloggers. I received an invitation to the Blogger United Malaysia Gathering 2007 last week and I participated. One of the main attractions were the speakers, especially Jeff Ooi; he is the most famous blogger in Malaysia and has inspired many bloggers in Malaysia. I know him personally and realise his quality. We also had him in our blogging workshops and trainings.

There was a mixture of old and young participants. Most of them blog about current affairs. One blog in particular is Daphne Ling who shared her fund-raising experiences by sending information to a few famous blogs. I asked what made it a success story and she replied it was a power of blogging.

One hundred participants were willing to pay to attend the event. The organizers charged because, as they said, they do not want to be influenced by outside funders.

Initially, I questioned whether it was necessary for bloggers to meet face to face as they are supposed to write and share their views only in cyberspace. Sam explained that meeting in reality was a new social phenomenon pushing blogging into another level – it has become a platform between purely physical gathering and virtual meeting. Bloggers who first meet online in cyberspace can embrace and engage each other through physical gathering to provide support, especially in time of need. This explains why a few Malaysian bloggers have created the National Alliance of Bloggers (NAB) – after Jeff and Rocky were sued. The aim of the NAB is to protect bloggers and to promote blogging.

All speakers seemed to link their presentations to the current media situation in Malaysia – how the government has created and imposed a system to control the blogging community and in general, the lack of or limited freedom of the press. Even in Thailand now, the government has issued laws to control websites and blogs which go against the government. I believe each individual has the freedom to write and say or do whatever he or she likes to. Of course, they must take full responsibility of their words and actions.

During the discussion, I heard some people asked whether bloggers should use their own name or remain anonymous. In Thailand, I am told, bloggers tend have at least two domain names just to protect themselves. For me, registering with my own name helps add credibility to the blog. But, then, it is absolutely up to each individual to decide.