Tuesday, July 8, 2008

ENGAGING BLOGGERS? NOT THIS WAY DUMBO.

I read this on Datuk Kadir Jasin's blog yesterday:

Blogger Jailani Harun (Just Read) noted that Minister in the PMD, Mohd Zahid Hamidi, had made a statement in Jakarta urging Malaysians who are staying abroad not to read blogs about Malaysia.

Zahid, a throwback of Anwar Ibrahim’s Umno era, had told his audience that contents of Malaysian blogs are “mere lies” and urged them to read the official news portal “for real political news.”

I am pleased to note that there are overseas Malaysians who read this humble blog of ours and participate regularly in our debate.

I think they will continue to read blogs and independent news portals alongside official news portals to compare news so to speak.


ZAHID, can or not you visit all those places (red dots) where people read my blog.....I give you full permission to tell them that I am an alpha liar. For a start try Iceland, (do wear long-johns) but for your own safety don't visit Madagascar....there one Aunty Gobloking, a Malaysian, is not very friendly towands gossip-peddlers like you. She runs the mafia outfit and she has some 385 collosal cement mixers....no need C4 or acid baths. If you have suicidal tendencies you can also try Iraq....I have quite a number of readers there....mostly bloggers. Good luck when you travel to these red dots.....but beware when a red dot appears and travels up from your heart to between your eyes. Those red dots are more lethal. Load up your insurance, of course. God speed and in between, look out for moving red dots from somebody's cross-hair. Red dots have a way of following gossipers.

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree zorro, cetainly thiss NOT the way. Th more you restric the more people rebel or go against it. But saying so, blog readers have to be smart too, dont be too gullible, read from many sources, and learn to differentiate what is best, right or wrong.

Bloggers too have a social responsibility to fulfill you know, I'm not saying that all blogs give good or useful info to their readers. Freedom indeed comes with responsibility, no doubt.

amoker said...

Zorro, we support you. If the blogs are lying, why people turn to it? If the MSM is telling the truth, why less people are buying?

Agree with darcwil. People read from many sources and dun just take Gov propoganda for truth. If Zahid does not understand this, he is still in his UMNO dinosour mind. The world has moved on. Read somethings about post-modernism. Opps, too tough a word for him.

Anonymous said...

I can see myself in the map there .. represented by one of the 2 biggest dots in the southern hemisphere, outside M'sia.

Anonymous said...

I am an overseas malaysian, and i read the blogs, so does that make me a moron, i don't think so, while i was in malaysia, i have seen with my own eyes how those in corridors of power work, the corruption, kickbacks, gifts, spa treatments, massage parlours etc demanded by these corrupt scum would shock you. i would recount to you, i came with a delegation of foreign investors to malaysia to set up operations in malaysia for their european parent company, the delegates were so disgusted with the red tape and under counter money demands PLUS DEMANDS FOR SHAREHOLDINGS for umno proxies sans investments, they decided to pack up and leave in 5 days. btw we set up operations in thailand, we were welcomed with open arms, with subsidised infrastructure help and freehold land for the plant which is coming online soon, total investment was in the region even with the susidies was around euro 1.4 billion. I was reprimanded for wasting the companies time and effort for the Malaysian stint and bewoe to any visiting MITI DELEGATIONS TO EUROPE, THE ARE GOING TO GET THEIR BUTTS BURNED.

Anonymous said...

I'm a malaysian living in Europe...reading most of the blogs daily so there you go

Anak Mami said...

uncle zorro,

good one!

they only know how to cakap tak serupa bikin. Buat malu orang malaysia saja..

Anonymous said...

Living in Sweden and I will continue reading Zorro-Unmasked because he reveals anything swept under the carpet.

mob1900 said...

There no such thing as a 'bad' blogger for everyone has the right to express their opinion. It shows there's lack of understanding of how blogging works from the part of these so-called 'leaders'.

Instead of embracing the voice of the people, they're demonizing bloggers, which are basicaly the rakyat wholesale as 'Bad'. If they term sharing opinions as bad, we should lable them appropriately.

How's Fascists for starters?
:)

Arnaz M. Khairul said...

Why not just go to the kelong with us at the end of this month and enjoy.. No such thing as paradise in Madagascar or Iceland. It is in our own Penyabung, near Mersing.

Birds Talking Too said...

Agreed!
Looks like those dimwits cannot tell the difference from all that "sandiwaras" and "protonwiras"
SD1 & SD2, Standard 1 & 2, can!
Now what about the "Snake in the Hotel" at my blog? A Lie too?

Cheers and Regards
Birds Talking Too

Pat said...

This is something they just don't get! And you are so right. I see that you yourself read many newspapers, both foreign and local, along with the stuff on the internet. Syabas! This is what I always told my students to do: read ALL that you can lay your hands on; all the differing points of view - and only then, make up your own mind. And your decision will be an informed one. It may not fall in with the 'official' line, but it will give you perspective and knowledge.

So how can they tell us to stop reading the blogs? Sometimes, they are our only source of information. And the msm? OMG, they have long forsaken the truth to only carry the 'man's' message!

Which is sad, if you think about it: so many people have access to the msm, much more than to the internet. And yet, they read something, and they say, 'bluff lah, bullshitting us again!' So, even if it is true, no one believes anymore. Talk about turning the tables, Zorro! Keep that sword swishing!

Anonymous said...

"that contents of Malaysian blogs are “mere lies”" - OTAK UDANG

Khairy has a Blog
Toyol has a blog
Mohg Ali has a Blog
Pak Lah has an Official Web page for people to "mingle" with him.
Muyhiddin has a blog.

Mohd son of Mohd secretly wish he could write a blog.

These are also MERE LIES.

Mohd Zahid Hamidi, be prepare to face the wrath of your lying masters.



- Anarchy

Anonymous said...

Goes to show, even Pak Lah now is acknowledging the bad bitter and ugly side of blogs and youtube. Not that EVERYTHING on it is considered bad, but hey come on face it, there ARE some pretty horrible stuff floating around too. Like, what good does it actually bring right all the insults, lies, threats, cock-talking? Makes me wonder whether people are actually have so much hate and anger or is it other factors that drive them to write or post such things.

Unknown said...

Yo ho ho!
Saw some dots near the amazon jungle too, better send the anacondas here.

Don't you know politicians? when they say don't read what they meant is please read. Hahaha..

I think he is one of the candidate in waiting to jump ship.

Anonymous said...

The existence of bloggers can't be denied in today's world. It's a trend or an epidemic, to so called stop bloggers will be a hard thing to do.
But bloggers themselves need to realize their responsibility as being the bearer of freedom of speech.

Unknown said...

Salam dari negara keju and coklat - Zurich.

Anonymous said...

Uncle Zorro,
My hubby and I are from overseas... we're among the hundred of frequent visitors daily that love to read blogs instead of 'cheap' news from the local newspapers. Keep up the good writing.

Donplaypuks® said...

With the new Bernama TV (and how many hundred million $ is that of taxpayers' money?), control over RTM1,2 & 3, NST, STAR etc & the mad dash towards blogging post-GE 2008, it appears that the BN Govt is still not getting its message across to the People.

If it were a private, comercial concern, the head of Communications (the Minsiter?)would have been sacked long, long ago!

It hasn't occurred to BN that maybe the message is all wrong and that's why People are flocking elsewhere.

And the more the sycophants try censorship and warn people not to blog or read blogs, the more people will veer to the alternative media.

Never learn do they? Planted entrepreneurs and non-meritocraceously appointed leaders will not Towering Glocals make!!

http://donplaypuks.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Living in Hong Kong out of country for 12 years . Reading your blog daily.

I am neutral to both party politics thus I am entitled to read both sides.

SO there you go. Saya bukan lembu yang boleh ditarik daripada hidungnya.

Jangan nak menghina kepintaran rakyat Malaysia.

eva's haven said...

Zorro,

unbelievable! zahid needs to be sent to an education camp!

Anonymous said...

It's a treat to read your blog.

Kel said...

i just hope one of those red dots do end up on his head. it would help some blood flow in the jammed brain. he is like telling people he can stop the world from spinning.

if malaysians abroad do not read blogs so where do they go for news? government controlled media which says blogs are all lies like what our pm is saying? then why start his warkah untuk pm site in the first place?

Anonymous said...

I love u zorro...

But i think u r liar because you dont tell the whole truth, you still hold back on bashing the gomen kow2!

Anonymous said...

I am a malaysian living in Finland.
I will give you examples of social behaviour and responsibility of politicians in finland,
1. Sometime early this year the water pipe for thE CITY OF NOKIA (yes it exists, this is where nokia started off from) BURST, it was out for 1 day, the result was the head f the utilities, seniour engineer, mayor tendered in the letters of resignation. reason they were responsible and the buck stopped with them.
2. politician sent sms's during parliment time to mistress, who sold the info to newspapers,.. there was an uproar in the country, politician is elected to work for the people and not supposed to be sending sms to mistress, politician apologised and resigned. (this particular politician was very powerfull and also an effective minister.
3. police commissioner (like our malaysian igp) took his oficial car home after late govt meetings, this was considered as abuse of power and he was forced to resigned,
3. seniour politician was caught sleeping in parliment and was severly reprimended from own electrote and party and was cosidered very lucky was not forced to resign.
In finland nobody is above the law, a couple of years ago the CEO OF NOKIA was caught speeding and he was going 15 km above the speedlimit, his POLICE SPPEDING FINE was to the tune of
RM 480,000.00, WHY? IN FINLAND FINES ARE DETERMINED ON YOUR INCOME, so the higher you earn the more you will pay in fines, so even if you are high and mighty you pay the same percentage as the poorest in the land, that is called equality across the board.
these are just small examples but the rules are the rules and there is no shirking of duties, compare this to malaysian politician where don't talk about sleeping ministers or non attending ministers or MPs but when the PRIME MINISTER IS CAUGHT SLEEPING, what more do you need to say, I remember the MP of jasin close one eye, zakaria palace, balkis funds, drunk ex-minister-butt-grabber, commissions for militry hardware,LINGAM-GATE, AP's abuse etc,and all simiLlar scandals of abuse of power and corruption, if these incidents had happened in Finland, THEY WOULD BE SITTING IN JAIL FACING VERY SEVERE SENTENCES.
THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL RULE OF LAW, UNLIKE IN MALAYSIA WHERE one set of rules applies to the people, and no laws govern the bn and powerfull cronies, they are the untouchables.

finnish sauna

Anonymous said...

Read your blog daily from New York - keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Bapak Zorro,

I am Malaysian, working in Jakarta, Indonesia for the past 8 years.

Having been exposed to the ever changing and ever volatile democratic process taking place in the world's most populous Muslim nation in the world, democracy in Indonesia to me is a the real deal amongst the Asian countries. It has evolved from Suharto's new order regime to the direct Presidential election.

News reporting wise, it has and is still revolving from the very worse of the lot to the very good quality investigative journalism. And this, I would call freedom of speech and practicing what your preach concept which is, lacking in Malaysia.

Blog wise, Indonesia has progress significantly with the support of the Minister who in return engaged and encouraged blogging since 2006, way before the 'wake up call' on March 8 about blogging in Malaysia. As a matter of fact, the first ever bloggers gathering was jointly organized by a fellow Malaysian. Yes, right here in Jakarta.

I guess Mohd Zahid Hamidi has a right to his personal opinion, which is fine by me, after-all we are 'supposedly' be living in a democratic country. Then again, Encik Mohd Zahid....HELLO? I DO NOT need you to urge me whether what I can or cannot read 'real political news' from the blogs or the MSM. I find this most INSULTING.

Being a Minister in the PMD, I would urge him to spend more of his time to solve the problems and hardships of the rakyak in view of the escalating cost of living and impending recession. Be more productive and be more relevant and stop wasting the tax payers money.

Anonymous said...

PM forgets easily

The Honorable PM of Malaysia has come out of his silent reflections over the weekend and made some statements in the media this day Monday of July 7, about truth, lies and perceptions.

Perhaps the PM in his grave lamentations also forgot the wise words of Jacques Prevert the French Poet: When truth is no longer free, freedom is no longer real.

By the way even the PM's former big boss now says so many bad things about the PM. So what is the rakyat supposed to make out of all these?

Mr. PM you forget that Malaysia is one country in the world with many records.

We have the world's tallest 'twin' towers yet the lowest morals. We gun each other down with tales of butt poking.

We have a spanking airport that is a world icon, yet we cannot end the 'ulat' scourge let alone make it free from armed shoot outs.

We are the only ONE nation in the world that lugs a king-sized mattress to court merely to politically kill a contender.

We say that ahlongs will be dealt with and the next year we approve licenses for them to operate nationwide.

We say austerity drive, but our Yang Berhormats continue their holidays and shopping sprees in Paris and London.

Come on Mr Prime Minister, was it not you who appointed the band of cabinet ministers? Should you not then be telling your men and women to walk the talk and talk the walk? Why are you again blaming the rakyat?

Why are you again blaming the 'opposition' parties that rule the five states? Why are you cutting back on projects now managed by the 'opposition' members? Why are you not accepting the rakyat's decision at the 12th GE? Why are you then not leading the nation with exemplary leadership of collaboration? Why? Why? Why?

Why is it that immigration records can just vanish into thin air?

Why is it only in 'Malaysia Truly Asia' foreigners can be C4-ed and justice takes ages to be served?

Why is it so difficult to resolve the Lingam-gate and move on?

Why is it that you send a space tourist into orbit but proclaim without batting an eye that we have a Malaysian astronaut?

After all Mr PM do not forget too that at one time you left the very party and government to be on the other side of the fence. So do we say you were then a traitor?

I have a suggestion. Why don't you imprison all the 'opposition' members and all the rakyat who are in favor of the 'opposition' parties? That way you will have no problems with your allegation of there being too much lies, untruths, perceptions, and what have you.

If this country fails, you have to be the first person to take all the blame because you opted to be our leader. That is what leadership is all about sir.

J. D. Lovrenciear

Anonymous said...

Zahid,..

I can read porno..blogs...anything for all I care. That is my right. To tell me what to read and not to read is downright insulting. Maybe you can tell that to your UMNO chappies.

And if blog are lies, so what? So what if I like to read lies?

Please shut the f*ck up if you have nothing intelligent to say.

Anonymous said...

Zorro, you are so funny!
There's always humor behind your anger.
That's the way to go!
Zahid's comments belong to the dinosaur age and it's from the same vomit. He's outdated!

Anonymous said...

Zahid : " please READ malaysian blogs for 'true facts' & dun read the offcial portals which are ' MERE LIARS', ok !?"

people : " Yes SIR, thank you !"

GobloKing said...

aiyah! TAHIT! I am so sorry to read blogs everyday from overseas!

I am so SORRY I am interested in my country

I am so SORRY I am so far away you are unable to lobotomize me

I am so VERY SORRY I like Zorro Unmasked, Malaysia Today, Malaysiakini, Rockybru, MarinaM, NIAMAH!

TAHIT Ah TAHIT!
Most of all I am MOST SORRY there are Kebuangan Melayu like you!

next time I come home I will be sure to read blogs only from Msia!