Rais: Internet can erode the country's culture
NEWS/COMMENTARIES
(The Straits Times) - The Malaysian government has warned against excessive use of micro-blogging sites like Facebook and Twitter, arguing that they could erode the country's culture, a report said on Sunday.
Rais Yatim, the information and communication minister, said Muslims and other religious groups must be wary of the Internet as it was introduced by the West.
'We are not saying they cannot use Facebook or Twitter, but when using such facilities, they must upkeep the values taught by Islam, Buddhism or Christianity to maintain our culture,' he was quoted as saying by the New Sunday Times newspaper.
Mr Rais said users must not be influenced by what they see and hear when using the Internet. 'We must be strong in our belief and culture because the identity and image of our country depends on us,' he said.
The government decided last August not to implement a controversial plan to create an Internet filter blocking 'undesirable' websites after coming under fire from rights groups.
Malaysia's lively blogosphere has been a thorn in the side of the Barisan Nasional government, which was been in power for more than half a century but was dealt its worst ever results in the 2008 elections.
And this is why we must continue to blog/facebook/twitter/surf:-
1. Government control main stream media, filtered for our reading pleasures so they don’t look bad. Eg. Kugan custodian death during police interrogations. They issue statement he died of fluid in his lungs.
2. Government think the people owe them for running the country. But they own us much more. They just don’t want to tell us and continue to keep us in the dark for as long as they can. Eg. Oil royalty issues. Their take is 80%, our take is 5%. They think we dont know how to add up 80 and 5?
3. They shield the truth from us so they can continue to rip the soils from under our nose. Eg. PKFZ and Pempena scandals. All for the nation development with a little "expenses" for management.
4. Anything they do cannot be questioned. We are like children waiting for feeding time. Eg. 2010 Budget debate, or none at all. Yes its called that but you can"t debate on it.
5. They are never concrete answers or solutions to the way they tackle issues. In short, no action plan, just gibberish slogans and speeches to divert our attention. Eg. H1N1 outbreak. We are short of this, short of that. Hospital can't cope with the number of patients, we don't have this, dont have that.
6. They can’t handle criticism, not at all. Can’t hold themselves together once we break their chains of commands. Eg. TBH death in custody at the MACC office. Almost the entire committee resigned. Issued contradicting statements.
7. They don’t really know where they stand even with the country’s laws. One is a threat to them by mere outspokenness and controversies. Eg. RPK & Theresa Kok’s illegal ISA detention. Classic, truly classic.
8. They will continue to do what they like till they no longer able to sweep anymore under the carpet and thanks to internet. Eg. Award for the helicopter purchase and the missing jet engine..
9. They don’t do their work as diligently and professionally as we want them to. Can’t hold their grounds against better opponent. Eg. Pedra branca lost to Singapore. Since they have the documents, we just use theirs and send a team to debate with them.
10. Sorry, this will go on and on. Finally, over 50 years of independence, they still compare our country to third world countries to assure us we are better. Eg. Education system or is it uneducating system.
NEWS/COMMENTARIES
(The Straits Times) - The Malaysian government has warned against excessive use of micro-blogging sites like Facebook and Twitter, arguing that they could erode the country's culture, a report said on Sunday.
Rais Yatim, the information and communication minister, said Muslims and other religious groups must be wary of the Internet as it was introduced by the West.
'We are not saying they cannot use Facebook or Twitter, but when using such facilities, they must upkeep the values taught by Islam, Buddhism or Christianity to maintain our culture,' he was quoted as saying by the New Sunday Times newspaper.
Mr Rais said users must not be influenced by what they see and hear when using the Internet. 'We must be strong in our belief and culture because the identity and image of our country depends on us,' he said.
The government decided last August not to implement a controversial plan to create an Internet filter blocking 'undesirable' websites after coming under fire from rights groups.
Malaysia's lively blogosphere has been a thorn in the side of the Barisan Nasional government, which was been in power for more than half a century but was dealt its worst ever results in the 2008 elections.
And this is why we must continue to blog/facebook/twitter/surf:-
1. Government control main stream media, filtered for our reading pleasures so they don’t look bad. Eg. Kugan custodian death during police interrogations. They issue statement he died of fluid in his lungs.
2. Government think the people owe them for running the country. But they own us much more. They just don’t want to tell us and continue to keep us in the dark for as long as they can. Eg. Oil royalty issues. Their take is 80%, our take is 5%. They think we dont know how to add up 80 and 5?
3. They shield the truth from us so they can continue to rip the soils from under our nose. Eg. PKFZ and Pempena scandals. All for the nation development with a little "expenses" for management.
4. Anything they do cannot be questioned. We are like children waiting for feeding time. Eg. 2010 Budget debate, or none at all. Yes its called that but you can"t debate on it.
5. They are never concrete answers or solutions to the way they tackle issues. In short, no action plan, just gibberish slogans and speeches to divert our attention. Eg. H1N1 outbreak. We are short of this, short of that. Hospital can't cope with the number of patients, we don't have this, dont have that.
6. They can’t handle criticism, not at all. Can’t hold themselves together once we break their chains of commands. Eg. TBH death in custody at the MACC office. Almost the entire committee resigned. Issued contradicting statements.
7. They don’t really know where they stand even with the country’s laws. One is a threat to them by mere outspokenness and controversies. Eg. RPK & Theresa Kok’s illegal ISA detention. Classic, truly classic.
8. They will continue to do what they like till they no longer able to sweep anymore under the carpet and thanks to internet. Eg. Award for the helicopter purchase and the missing jet engine..
9. They don’t do their work as diligently and professionally as we want them to. Can’t hold their grounds against better opponent. Eg. Pedra branca lost to Singapore. Since they have the documents, we just use theirs and send a team to debate with them.
10. Sorry, this will go on and on. Finally, over 50 years of independence, they still compare our country to third world countries to assure us we are better. Eg. Education system or is it uneducating system.
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