It is Visit Malaysia Year 2007 and Malaysians are trying hard to put up an image of friendliness and peace. We garland visitors with unreserved joy hoping that every direction that they gaze is flawless.

Unfortunately, one only has to flip through our dailies to fathom the truest nature of our society. From brutal slayings to unrelenting snatch thieves. Crime rates appear to be rising and increasing in viciousness.

The police force appears inept at handling the surge in cases as corruption lingers. This poorly renumerated workforce appear rusty and incompetent as many cases remain unsolved or mysteriously closed.

For a nation that aspires to be developed in less than 14 years, the most essential component that needs development is the citizens themselves. Afterall a nation is only as good as its people. We may have great physical infrastructures but they will only remain a facade of development.

In essence, we are still very much a third world nation. Its citizens relishing archaic political and economic protection. The corruption rates are rising as political leaders refuse to acknowledge the gravity of the situation, perhaps fearing the potential of exposing themselves.

Malaysians are hardly a thinking society as this “luxury” is stifled even in institutions that are supposedly centers perpetuating intellectual brilliance. A society that can hardly withstand the onslaught of criticisms and competition.

Our public toilets speak volumes of public apathy. Road manners and signages often mean nothing. Streets shrewn with human waste and debris is common.

Malaysia, oh Malaysia I cry for ye!

The 21st Century has brought with it new challenges, in particular those related to cyberspace. Existing laws are still struggling to define this virtual entity and its role in the “real” world.

Recent libel suits against Malaysian bloggers have highlighted many controversial issues that has yet to be resolved. Are bloggers actually journalists? As the contents of a particular website is publicly broadcasted, should such a blogger exercise self censorship or restraint when it comes to issues of controversy?

Bloggers appear to be flexing their muscle and are tipped to grow in strength in years to come. As such, many are now infringing into areas previously monopolised by the mainstream press. From investigative reporting to breaking news, bloggers are now a force that beckons to be reckoned with.

With this recognition, it has become increasingly important to exercise judicial wisdom when writing on a particular subject. Expressing one’s views in a public domain, like that of the internet, can be dicey and prone to skewed interpretations. Such can result in an avalanche of lawsuits against individual bloggers, whom are mainly inept at fighting prolonged expensive legal battles.

Should this silence bloggers? I think not.

Many are dispirited by the years of enduring the lack of press freedom. The press was previously manipulated to provide subtle brainwashing to the fancies of the governing party. The internet has opened new avenues for which the opposing political parties have been quick to utilise. However, this new found freedom has brought with it new problems.

Many have often misused such a freedom to belittle, defame and express vulgarities. Personal experiences from my blog has revealed startling sad realities when readers leave abdicable comments revealing the lack of restraint in a public domain.

Having said that, a personal blog should be considered as a personal space online. It reflects the thoughts of that individual. The only difference is that it can be read by any who stumble on that blog. A reader can then choose to believe or otherwise, what is being written.

The problem starts when a particular blog has gained popularity from its contents, that many may now see it as a threat rather than just an online journal. Many blogs which are more controversial but less prominent are left pretty much alone.

Should bloggers be subjected to the laws regulating our journalists?

I think bloggers should be responsible for what is being said knowing very well that the internet is public domain. Revealing one’s identity is essential when writing on controversial issues to lend more credibility to the site. Hiding behind pseudonyms is, to me, cowardice.

Bloggers like Jeff Ooi has gained prominence from his hard hitting, straight to the point and provocative reporting. His readership base grows with increasing notoriety among the mainstream media. This recent libel suit will certainly test the limits of freedom on speech in cyberspace. Are we at the threshold of government censorship?

For now, bloggers, like me, will have to stand behind fellow bloggers who all firmly believe in the freedom of speech and independence of the press.

So bloggers, unite and stay united. It may affect us more than we think it will.