A country in distress

Malaysia as a nation has gone through much distress the past one year. The most recent event was the detention of journalists using the Internal Security Act. Under this draconian Act, the government is allowed to detain without trial those who are said to be a threat to the national security of the country. This Act was first legislated many years ago during the Communist time. Singapore also has a similar Act in place but the Government has not detained anyone under this Act for the past many years.

For the first time in Malaysian history, journalists are detained under this Act. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the Government's usage of the Internal Security Act to intimidate the media. This is the ultimate restriction on freedom of speech. In Singapore, the government is said to use civil defamation suits to silence the opposition. In Malaysia, the government detains the opposition without trial. I've read reports on how detainees are treated. Let's just say their experiences in the detention centres weren't pleasant at all. Apparently, one journalist, Tan Hoon Cheng who was detained yesterday and released today reported that she was treated well in the detention centre. Perhaps its because the government is now under the watchful scrutiny of the world. Who knows. RPK, the editor of Malaysia Today has also been detained and is still being detained as he has allegedly posted articles deemed seditious and that also belittle Islam.

Sigh, it seems like Malaysia as a country is only moving backwards in terms of its civil liberties. It's really saddens me to watch the leaders of my country which I call home, blatantly abusing their power and using the Act as a convenient tool to silence journalists who merely lay out facts in the open. After all, isn't that the job of journalists - to deliver untainted news to the public?

Wind of change: It was only 4 years ago, in the second last election that the Barisan National Government won the Federal election with almost the full support of the nation. This year however, during the recent election, it wasn't such an easy win. Why was there a wind of change? Here are the possible reasons:

- Malaysians are tired of the poor leadership of Barisan National. They are tired of a leader who is indecisive and hasnt seem to make a single good decision in the past five years. With sky-rocketing inflation and an almost unsustainable standard of living in Malaysia for many Malaysians, the nation is starting to point fingers at the poorly run Abdullah administration.

- Malaysia as a country turned 51 as of 31st August 2008. The 50 year old mark was a wake up call to Malaysians. Being young is not an excuse anymore. We started on par with countries like Singapore. Look at how far Singapore has developed and how Malaysia is only inching upwards, if at all. Malaysia is sick of the corrupted Barisan National government. However, the Abdullah Administration is not solely to be blamed. The nation is sick of the Barisan National leaders, both past and present, squeezing the citizens of their hard-earned money only to pass it to their cronies. Think Samy Vellu, Rafidah, Khairy - one wonders how much money has been squandered.

- The coming age of the virtual world. It is said that the Internet has helped to win votes for the Opposition like how it has helped Obama in his campaign. With alternative online newspapers like MalaysiaToday and with bloggers like Jeff Ooi , Malaysians are more aware of the true state of events in Malaysia. Objectively speaking, one cannot say for sure that what is published in those alternative virtual newspapers are 100% accurate but what we know is that the traditional mainstream newspapers are blatantly biased. Traditional media in Malaysia is greatly suppressed by the Government. Annual licenses can be revoked if papers are found to be displeasing in the eyes of the Government. For example, the license for Harakah, the official opposition party PAS newspaper was suspended after seditious articles were alleged to be published. Aside from that, almost all mainstream newspapers are controlled directly or indirectly by Barisan National.

I'm anxiously waiting to see how the upcoming events will unfold. Anwar, please deliver what you have promised. He may not be the perfect leader and it may seem that he is supported out of default but take a look at the politicians in power. I say he is the best we got.