I am scribbling something here. But before that, let me wish my Muslim brothers and sisters "Selamat Menyambut Awal Muharram".
Back to my "scribbling". Just my thoughts to put in a letter to the Prime Minister. The Deputy Prime Minister, maybe. Heck, the entire Cabinet. Not that anyone of them will care. I am just a blogger. One of thousands. What does anybody care, really?
But why (to) our PM or DPM? Or to the rest of their Cabinet colleagues?
Well, because it concerns the NST which (I don't think this needs further explanation) is politically affiliated with the powers-that-be.
And I am very concerned about the NST and my many friends who are still at the NST.
I don't know whether they themselves are concerned about this.
Damn, Maybe I am overreacting. Maybe there is no reason for concern.
Still, if I decide to send this letter, it will probably go something like this.
(Do remember that this is written in cyberspace. You don't like the sound of it, turn me off. Read some other blog.)
Here goes nothing:
ENDSDear Sir or dear everyone in the Malaysian Cabinet,
I would like to draw your attention to the defamation suit by the NST and four individuals against two bloggers - Ahirudin Attan and Jeff Ooi. I am sure you are aware of this.
My concern is not the suit taken by the individuals but by the NST.
I will not go into why the NST is suing these two bloggers although I am actually
still trying to figure this one out. As far as the individuals (plaintiffs) are
concerned, like any citizen of this country, they have the right to seek redress
if they feel that their reputation has been hurt or injured by these two
bloggers.
But for the NST to decide to be dragged into this, I think it is a
big mistake.
The NST, already suffering poor circulation and sales, does not
need this.
I fear that many people will boycott the NST. In fact, as I am scribbling
this, a boycott has already started, of NST and its sister publications.
A boycott, and I see this will be a massive one, will really really hurt the NST.
You see, people are seeing NST's action as a terrible thing. A newspaper
acting against bloggers, against freedom of expression.
Worse, NST doing this at the behest of the goverment. Whether or not that is correct is irrelevant. This will be the perception.
People will be seeing it as a bullying tactic by the government through the NST.
I am not speaking on behalf of my friends and others at the NST. I cannot as I am no longer an employee.
I believe, though, that if they had their say, at least many of
them, would have definitely spoken against it.
And I believe too, that many consumers will stop buying the NST, terminate their subscription and, well, boycott the paper because they hate what they see as the mighty goverment coming down hard against bloggers. Others perhaps, simply as a matter of principle.
People will be looking at the NST with contempt, with odium and
with anger. The newspaper will be ridiculed.
NST cannot be dragged into this lawsuit. A newspaper suing bloggers for defamation? Think about it?
We are fighting for Press freedom and this newspaper is suing bloggers, one of whom is its former editor, for defamation.
It goes without saying that the world is watching as this is a precedent and a test case. A very interesting one.
And in the process, this will reflect so badly on the newspaper. And, of course, on
the government because of the ties that bind.
I don't have to be a clairvoyant to tell you that the implications are far-reaching.
You cannot let the newspaper suffer further because it will affect the livelihood of its
employees. It will surely affect the morale of the staff including the
journalists -- if it has not already.
Oh. I remember well the repercussions of a boycott (coupled with the pain of the financial crisis) of the NST in the late 90s. The NST has not quite recovered.
Until today, I am so baffled by the NST's decision to go on with the suit. What were the board members thinking?
Or were they?
The individuals can sue the two bloggers if they feel that they have been defamed.
(Although, if I were them, I would have set up my own
blog and let Rocky and Jeff have a taste of their own medicine, or ask them to
apologise or retract all those postings they deem offensive, untrue and
baseless. If all this fails, I'd have a chat with them at Austin Chase -man to man.)
But not the NST. If you have it in your power to do something -- then make the NST withdraw its suit.
There! That wasn't so bad.
52 comments:
Some scribble, NS!
You should finish with...
THE PEOPLE RESTS ITS CASE!
for you definitely, and eloquently, speak for me and I think for many other fellow citizens.
Syabas Anak Ayahandanya!
I apologise for using Anonymous. I usually use my own name to post comments. But I am afraid now. What will happen to my family if the NST sues me for speaking out against them? What will happen if the government I happily voted for in 03 decides to whack me for my comment. I am not brave like you or other bloggers. I am not a journalist. I will continue to blog but don't expect me to have a name. What a bad government this is. Very bad.
kak nuraina dan kak marina,
saya bangga dengan kakak berdua. tak malu jadi blogger wanita!
insyallah, women power will prevail and help promote freedom of speech and liberation of our media (old and new). saya doakan kakak berdua sihat waalfiat dan dapat berjuang terus untuk meninggikan martabat kaum hawa.
bloggers unite!
Dear Kak Nuraina,
This post is very well-put, distinguishing clearly between the NST and individuals who are suing.
For me, I pity those who are working within the NST, as they are bearing the image of the "big bully" but they have no say. They would be the first to suffer from the boycott, first to be retrenched or get pay cuts. But on the other hand, plummeting sales figures would be the greatest quantitative measure to show them that it was a BAD decision for the corporation.
I don't subscribe to NST anyway, so the boycott doesn't affect me. But I will buy any Bloggers United merchandise and contribute to the Fund (when it gets set up) to show my support.
That wasnt too bad ena. Once a journalist, always a journalist...ENDS!
Like i said, take care...somehow something reminds me of that fateful night in the tv room on the 13th Floor. and I think you know what i mean. ENDS.
Nuraina
You a true daughter of Pak Samad.
Pak Samad played a key role in malaysianising the then Straits Times & was the first Managing Editor of the New Straits with Tan Sri Lee Siew Yee as its Editor-in-Chief (during the late Tun Razak's time) before King Ghaz put him away for five & half years under the ISA.
Whe Pak Samad rejoined the NST in 1982 after his release, you were the only one he didnt promote or give a raise (when many others were) lest he was accused of nepotism.
I believe Boon had to convince him that you, at least, deserve a raise.
He must be proud of you, being the paper's political editor (until Kali struck off the post), after having worked there for more than 27 years.
He should be cuz you write like a true journalist.
Di mana kuah tumpah kalau tidak di atas nasi.
Keep it up. Nuraina!
p/s. So when is yr sister, Maria, going to start her own blog? Would be interesting to read what the Samad sisters have to say.
Santayana once said that those do not learn from the mistakes of the past are condemned to repeat them. NST should take some lessons from this great American philosopher. By the way don't cry for NST. It has already shot its foot, kidneys, balls.
Was at a club house today after a game of golf. While waiting for our lunch orders, a friend picked-up The Star from the reading shelf. I walked to the shelf as well to have something to read. All newspapers have been taken except NST. I walked back to my table empty handed. Saw another 3 people did the same.
Sdri Nuraina,
Mula-mula, biar saya ucapkan SYABAS! kerana keberanian sdri. Betullah kata "Orang Lama", Nuraina ni memang anak Pak Samad!
Saya katakan sdri Nuraina berani bukan kerana menulis warkah pada PM, DPM dan menteri2 Kabinet. Siapapun di ruang maya ini boleh menghantar surat panjang-lebar, surat terbuka, surat layang, surat racun pena pada sesiapa pun. Keberanian sdri terletak pada kejujuran sdri. Nuraina telah mengakui masih sayang, masih kasih kepada NST dan tidak mahu ianya tersungkur kerana tindakan bodoh lagi bangang Geng 4 Ke(pa)rat.
Dan memang benar tindakan mereka cuba menutup mulut pemblog-pemblog (dengan menyaman Rocky Bru dan Screenshots) adalah bengap dan tidak berakal.
Tidakkah Geng 4 Ke(pa)rat itu sedar yang orang akan marah dengan Pak Lah, Najib dan para menteri lain kerana tindakan mereka. Tindakan mereka memburukkan nama negara, nama wartawan, nama NST, nama kita semua.
Dan yang pertama akan merana ialah NST dan wartawan2 di NST. Mereka tidak bersalah, tetapi siapa yang peduli? Yang berempat tu dah tentu tidak sebab mereka hanya fikir pasal hal sendiri.
Pak Lah harus campurtangan, titik sikit tangan Kali, sebat si Hisham dan Syed, dan tendang buntut Brendan tu. Kelmarin ada yang nak kenakan Pak Lah, mereka kata gabung dengan Utusan bagus. Sekarang ni, apa pulak yang mereka katakan pada Pak Lah tentang tindakan mereka menyaman Ahirudin dan Jeff Ooi?
Atau Pak Lah yang suruh ...?
to Anon 7:52 PM...
that's a good one!
good jokes are difficult to come by these days.
thanks.
Hear! Hear! Let's hope the powers that be get the message, too.
Nuraina,
"Gua chaya lu"! You're one of the rare journalist who's bold and outspoken! Keep it up BUT...at the same time, do be careful as you may be treading on troubled waters and I do not want to loose you as one of my blogger friends!
Nuraina and Marina - The Dynamic Duo Yang Penuh Bara
Both of you really live up to the tagline "privilege with a purpose". I'm sure many impressionable young Malaysians aspire to be as gumptious as you both.
If you are truly a father's daughter you should send the letter off - edited to perfection. If your letter is to receive the attention of the PM and his Cabinet it must be written with the authority of an ex NST political correspondent of some standing. You must be more pointed and direct, and lay out your arguments more convincingly. Avoid the blogger's tendency to ramble.
BON NINI
Bon nini,
Nuraina did not send the letter la thick head! The letter stays in this blog. And this is a blog, so if it rambles a little, so what. The PM rambles like a thousand blogs and he's still PM. Don't leave comments yang goblog, kowe bikin gue panas. Bagero.
nope not bad at all
Nuraina, brave but true words that come from the heart.
Do you know if 'big brother' is watching you? Be careful. I ditto Ilene's comment.
Ah (kak Teh; Thank you Ah for your concern. Foryour SMSes too.
I am fine. I am ok.
Oh goodbess, what do you think "they" will do to me? And who might "they" be, I wonder.
Here I am, writing things that I believe are NOT offensive to anyone, not anti-national, anti-government, subversive -- just expressing my thoughts in my blog for my dearest friend, Rocky, and blogbros Jeff Ooi and Sheih who all represent bloggers.
I write about my opinion on what has happened to them, why I believe the NST should not be dragged into taking the lawsuit agains Rocky and Jeff.
And my earlier postings on walking wiht Rocky, Jeff and Sheih as well on the importance of making a difference as a voter, and then the toll hike are so so insignifant, so so nothing, compared to other powerful postings of other well-known/popular bloggers.
It is hard to believe that anyone would be spooked at all by what I write.
So, Ah, I hate to be rattled or frightened by "them" whoever they are.
Anyway I really can't imagine that I so matter to anyone of "them". Saya ni so inconsequential, so unimportant. Just a blogger. Not a mainstream editor anymore.
But should I be threatened or harmed by anyone --- you will know. Everyone will know.
Thank you, my very dearest dearest friend for your deep and sincere concern.
Saya bukan sebatang kara di dunia ini, ada keluarga tersayang dari Perlis, Singapura, Sumatera ke Tanah Jawa dan sahabat2 yang setia dan kasih pada saya.
And I believe Ah, as all believers do that Allah is great and on the side of the truth. So, what has anybody who believes that he has done nothing wrong in the eyes of God and in the eyes of the law, to be afraid of.
Ilene: Thank you, Ilene. I will surely remember to be careful although I don't know whether that means that i have to keep watching my back, look out for people and cars following me, wary of strangers......never mind-lah. I know what you mean, Thanks again and do "drop by" again.
Dr Ve Thru -- and to you too, my friend. keep visiting me.
saudara tao ching
it's "thick heads" and "goblogs" (your own terms) like you who get genuine bloggers into trouble because you are rude and crude. Besides, your understanding is quite shallow.
BON NINI
Ena
Am reposting what I have picked up from kickdefella blog.
===================================
A Voice // Jan 21st 2007 at 10:37 am
I report a commet posted on the blog The Malaysian
————————————————————
Warrior2, is part of the gang of macai.net and kpmu, amaterish cyber warriors of PL/KJ under Dr Vincent Lim and Dato Azlina.
Their websites have been generating spins and outrite lies. However, they have not attracted the audience. Their websites had refused comments on their articles because they couldn’t convincingly defend the critical comment to the article posted on their webs. This are just a few and they couldn’t handle it.
Recently their alliance formed a blog called "Siber..." in response to the huge support to the campaign and unity call orchestrated by kickdefella.
Now they as a group have attacked all blogs with the common message that freedom of speech has a limit when it is defamatory. Apart from warrior2, you wil see names like Muhammad Abdullah, Mydeen Aboo Backer, juslo, and many others spamming their views all over blogosphere.
Beware.
Don't underestimate the power of your blog, my dear. And don't overestimate the wits of our elected ones. Look how thin-skinned the dickheads representing them at NST are. They have resorted to lawsuit, at the expense of this country,s image! They tried to play rought with kickdefella. They also tried to smear you guys thru their sniper blogs machai and now siber party. They will resort to any dirty tactics. No Fear, but be vigilant, adikku and other bloggers.
Nuraina wrote:
"ENDS
There! That wasn't so bad."
No M'am, it wasn't so bad at all, in fact, it was brilliant! Trust you to come up with something written with such poise and pointed wit.
It's time for us bloggers to put our money where our collective mouth is and cough up and chip in.
Looking forward to the establishment of the "War Chest" to fund these defamation suits.
Dear Nuraina,
Today, a Sunday, I only bought The Edge, Mingguan and The Star. Normally together with the whole Media Prima papers. I have many friends in NST and BH and will continue to follow their works by borrowing the papers from others. Buying the papers I will not! It should have been the few people in NST against Rocky and Jeff, not the NST.
Kepada Pn(?) Nuraina,
What u wrote was fantastic.But take some notes from what Bon Ninni said, if i'm not mistaken he holds your father in the highest regard and he belongs to a generation who trully understand what that entails.
But I would like to reinterate the warning you recieved about Sibapati( Dek Mat,Mat Merah, Myedeen Aboo Backer etc-etc)Not supporting any insinuations that has already been made I would like to share an experiance I had with them.
On Sheikh's blog we cross each other's path. On certain issues,it is in my nature to try to be as cautious as possible in making comments, and more so after the recent events of the legal drama.
But in trying to discredit me, time and again I sense that they were trying to goad me into backing up my statements with evidence that is impposible to show on a blog without the possibility of being sucked into a legal mess or exposing myself or my sources of infomation.
I am not saying they are part of the 4th floor network- that would be impossible to prove. But their behaviour does suggest that they have an agenda which coincides with the ideology and the interest the 4th floor network.
Since my nick has already been mentioned in one of the comments, I thought I'd share that with u.
Just be carefull when dealing with them, especially anything which might be used as bullets to shoot u with.
We live in a climate of fear nowadays- our bodies may still be free but a pall of fear has descanded on on our hearts and our souls and sadly, this is inflicted by individuals who associate themselves to folks who were mandated by us to do the opposite.
They capacity they have to intimidate is conferd by association- a power delagated by default
With appologies to Rousseu "men was born free, but everywhere he is in chains"
Be carefull! i cant reinterate this stromg enough
Nuraina, saya sangat suka tindakan NSTP dan ketua-ketuanya. Saya tergelak terbahak-bahak sebab ini adalah saman malu pertama di dunia. Tak tau lah kalau dah ada kes sama sebelum ini. Kelaulah NSTP dan penakwa-pendakwanya menang, bernakna kebebasab bersuara Nalaysia akan dioersoalkan. Di manakah kerajaan nak tutup muka. Apakah mereka tak fikir kedudukan PM. Pada saya blog Rockybru dan Screenshots sudah di firewalled di bangunan itu, Macam mana boleh tau apa yang ditulis. Kalau ada hasrat nak saman, patutnya biarlah blog itu dibaca staff semua. Banyak poin lain lagi pasal isu ini. Nanti kita junpa kat simpang dan bincang.
Lipaskudung
I have two comments to make regarding your intended letter:
Firstly the cabinet don't give a damn about companies losing money -it is rich whaat - from oil, from taxes;
Secondly, what you said about people defending themselves or debating through the media is absolutely correct. Just be a jantan and reply to the accusation point by point - why resort to legal action? Unless of course the the accusations are true and indefensible. The public ought to know.
Kak Ena,
NSTP suing Rocky and Jeff proved that bloggers are not operating in legal vacum. we are non journo-bloggers sharing research homework in blogs are shocked to the bones. Then there's another, sharing creative writing too we are not sure anymore now. Sad.
With apology Nuraina but do allow me this space and thanking you in advance. I had this posted at Malik Imtiaz's blog:
Malik, stay focus. While we understand the need for you to reply to some of the posters here, but don't waste anymore of your time to engage this bunch of people (those from SiPM and muhammad abdullah). And very soon too, few more other names will crop up here as they did at Rocky's, Jeff's, Sheih's, RPK's and Marina's.
We are profiling them. Let us be the ones instead, to engage them, not by replying to their spinning for their masters, but exposing and identifying who they really are.
The sooner we ignore and not allowing them this platform to create chaos and disunity among bloggers, the better prepared we are to face the real issue in hand.
Don't bother to reply us on this, gang of 4 (or should I add on 'th Floor' to it?). Our purpose and function is to sniff you all out.
Puan Nuraina
Since when did NST NOT politically affiliated? During Kadir Jasin's time?
Dear Nuraina Samad,
I believe your article is biased. NSTP has right to sue anyone who defamed its reputation as a professional newspaper. The right to sue to protect one's reputation is not limited to individuals but also organisations.
I suggest you retract your article because it is unwise to ask NSTP to simply allow any person to tarnish their company's good name.
Noraina Samad,
Saya akan beli surat khabar NST dan Berita Harian walaupun NSTP Bhd menyaman Ooi dan Attan. Ini sebab kedua-dua akhbar NSTP ini adalah sangat professional dan bebas.
Saya fikir orang-orang yang memboikot akhbar-akhbar terbitan NSTP tidak semestinya simpati terhadap Ooi dan Attan. Kita perlu mengetahui makna kebebasan bersuara (freedom of speech) dahulu.
With apology Nuraina but do allow me this space and thanking you in advance. I had this posted at Malik Imtiaz's blog:
Malik, stay focus. While we understand the need for you to reply to some of the posters here, but don't waste anymore of your time to engage this bunch of people (those from SiPM and muhammad abdullah). And very soon too, few more other names will crop up here as they did at Rocky's, Jeff's, Sheih's, RPK's and Marina's.
We are profiling them. Let us be the ones instead, to engage them, not by replying to their spinning for their masters, but exposing and identifying who they really are.
The sooner we ignore and not allowing them this platform to create chaos and disunity among bloggers, the better prepared we are to face the real issue in hand.
Don't bother to reply us on this, gang of 4 (or should I add on 'th Floor' to it?). Our purpose and function is to sniff you all out.
Syabas kepada sdri. kaum ibu kerana menegakkan kebenaran walaupun pahit.
Kata Sasterawan Negara Profesor Muhammad Haji Salleh (kini profesor tamu di University Havard)
"Keberanian intelektual lebih payak daripada keberanian jasmaniah". Sdri. bukan sahja berani dari segi intelektual malah berani dari segi jasmaniah kerana tidak lagi bekerja di NST.
Now, you see more and more people 'shouting' out for respect. Of course they have forgotten that respect is earned and not demanded. From their track record, which is "zilch" if not straddling on the negative region, there is nothing much to respect about.
Credible bloggers like those on the roll seem to command better respect than those plaintiffs.
Sometimes, human being are quite funny but unique. You have some people who are willing to fork out hundreds of thousands to be 'calonkan' for datukship but actually cannot identify what jasa they have done. They think that such a title will bring them respect from the masses. I let you be the judge. Then there are some who would bring it on further by taking on legal action such as that carried out by the NaSTy people. You think they are after the money? No offence intended but I wouldn't think Rocky or Jeff did it for the big money and therefore would not have accumulated the millions to pay them damages. So why take on the case knowing even if they win, they would not get due compensation? I think muslims will be able to know what sin is that from a religious point of view.
When you have 4 very large ego persons along with some shadow 'dalangs' who also packed with ego larger then their personality, the result is to go all the way even if it will ultimately ruin their own reputation and that of the company, the country and important people linked to them.
I really hope they 'insaf' and back down for everyone's sake.
concerned
Ena,
I have been expecting this Muhammad Abdullah guy to make his debut here.
And here he is, finally, posting the same comment he made at kickdefella blog & at Rocky's too, if I'm not mistaken.
I believe he is from that sibapati(cyber party) together with Dek Mat, Mat Merah & Mydeen Aboo Backer (the gang from macai.net).
Just for yr info.
Tindakan AN NASTY adalah utk menakut-nakutkan bloggers lain( esp yg bukan journo)agar jangan keterlaluan( or is it supposed to be jangan langsung)mengkritik Kerajaan yg ada dan AN NASTY. Apa yg 4 kepala AN NASTY ni buat adalah mengitimidasikan orang ramai.(Orang Malaysia kalau dengar kena saman atau masuk court kecut "telor" mereka).
AN NASTY mempunyai audience yg lebih banyak dari rocky dan jeff ooi boleh menggunakan akhbar mereka utk berhujjah/menjawab tulisan rocky, jeff ooi,sheih atau sesiapa sahaja.Dan mentaliti kebanyakkan pembaca akhbar Malaysia adalah mereka percaya hampir 100% dgn akhbar. Tapi AN NASTY tidak berbuat demikian kerana menjawab dlm akhbar tidak akan membuat "telor"menjadi kecut.Bagi mereka hanya dgn tindakan menyaman sudah pasti akan mengecutkan banyak "telor" di Malaysia. Dan saya rasa mereka berjaya mengecutkan banyak "telor" kerana semakin ramai telah menggunakan Anon bila memberi komen.
Pada hakikatnya 4 pasang "telor" di AN NASTY telah mengecut kerana posting2 rocky,jeff ooi,sheih,RPK dan lain2.
Ah, seKali machai sampai kapanpun machai. Kalian penyangak Siber Parti, berKali-Kali pemblog lain dah bilang - anjak dari dunia kami. Berapa Kali lagi nak bilang. Nyah dari sini!
Firewall, terimakasih yang amat seKali kerana membogelkan Siber Parti. Barangkali diorang ingat kita sebodoh tuan mereka!
Jangan seKali-Kali datang ke Jalan Sudin lagi!
Bloggers United! No Fear. Walk with Us.
Kak Ena,
I am still shaking my head thinking 'siapa sangka boleh terjadi', the waves is world wide. It started with just sharing homework, daily activities, love life, creative writing, things I did not think anyone care. Tapi hingga kini masih begitulah. My deduction God in a way has indicated HIS stand,but as you can see so clear to me that we are all so human. All the best, sis.
Press conference on NSTP defamation suits against Jeff Ooi and Ahiruddin Attan
The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and the Writers' Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI) would like to invite your organisation to attend a press conference on the defamation suits being taken by the New Straits Times Press Bhd and others against two bloggers, Ahiruddin Attan and Ooi Chuan Aun, better known as Rocky's Bru and Jeff Ooi.
CIJ will be making public the joint statement endorsed by NGOs who are against the defamation suits. Both Rocky and Jeff will be present in the conference.
The press conference will be held:
Time: 11:00 am
Date: 23 January 2007
Venue:
The Centre for Independent Journalism
27C Jalan Sarikei, off Jalan Pahang
53000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 4023 0772
Fax: 03 4023 0769
(see www.cijmalaysia.org for a map)
For more details please contact Yip Wai Fong on 03 4023 0772 or 012 6986662
Lipas Kudung
Bila mana ada kebebasan bersuara di Malaysia? Jadi bagaimanakah ia hendak dipersoalkan? Those ex-NSTs don't have the moral high ground to question the independence of journalism in Malaysia. How independent and open were they then? Tun Mahathir was the PM for more than twenty years, was NST as independent then than now?
I've linked you to my blog http://azlan-pawan.blogspot.com
019,
u still number one. 012 is like a hama compared to the likes of you and the sue-d. i'll walk witcha - you guys are worth more than Camels. besides, i'm more of a sampoerna kind of woman...
sheih,
i am fine, bro.
yes, yes...u r right. havent updated. i will soon.
thank you for reminding. i thot nobody would noticed.
salam
nuraina
sheih,
bro, thanks for the concern.
nuraina
Ena
I got this link which has a list of bloggers’ comments on the suit by the four stooges against Jeff & rocky.
Wuu huu! A long mighty list.
Dont think that what’s his name expected this kind of reactions!
Here it is.
http://jinkeanlim.blogspot.com/2007/01/leave-bloggers-in-malaysia-alone.html
Pn Nuraina,
A sugestion on your draf.
Avoid apearing as if your pontificating- ur dealing with politicians here, whose ego's are inversly proportionate to thier intel1igence and their status. So dont explicitly appear to remind them or teach them.
Avoid saying this like " Dont we remeber". Instead perhaps say it like " I m conveying a concern that might have escape ( your) notice" ..Proper grammer may demand that u put the word contain in the kurungan, but folks with big ego's might find it as if you nak " memandai- mandai". Instead it be safer if you ommit the word "your" .
I am not asking you to be an apple polisher, but rather I am just suggesting ways the might increase the effectiveness of the letter.To me, the general psychological profile ( ego)of our top level polticians have to be taken into account if we want to be effective.
If we want to convince them to intervene than we have to avoid putting them of in anyway
Anyway I pun bukan nak memandai- mandai. I just assume that your draf was meant to be read by others , thus, u may want opinions on the matter.
Forgot to give an example from your draf which i think needs to be droped -To me your line"Think about it" is a big no-no.
Rule no 1-Remember, you are just a mere mortal dealing with folks who have for all intents and purposers been kings and queens for a decade or more."Bila dia buat benda bodoh orang kata pandai, bila dia kata jump orang kata how high"Ofcourse, dalam hati kata soheigh!
Lojic dia orang,that is, if you can call it that, is "nak memandai konon- kalau dia hebat sangat kenapa dia nobody dan aku yang mntree".Think its petty? well in reality that's an understatement!
We are not dealing with humans here but merely humanoids- Homo poltikus instead of Homo sapiens- Yes, they look the same, smell the same, sound also the same, but most definately in human
To them u are a nameless entity.N your fathers name might be a liability..after all that might be among them with an x to grind
I am generlizing of course but if we want to make errors make errors on the side of caution
Be forceful yet submisive.
A contadiction in terms?Well who said it would be easy
Pn Nuraina,
Regardless of what some people say bout Sleeping Beauty statement on "freedom with responsibility" i would like u to be even more commited in your intention to complete the draf and send it.
He may support the legal action but ur letter is not condeming legal action but rather questioning the need for STimes to be dragged. Begin clearly on that note and end clearly on that note.That singular message must be reinterated in differant contexts, again and again.
I also strongly recomend sending the missive to the MKT also.
Also reinterate the political cost that ARMNO has to bear, domestically and internationally. They r politicians first and foremost, and thus, this angle would make particular sense to them. The negative press that has been generated by the issue sends out conflicting messages about the commitment of the current leaderships attempt to distance itself from certain negative aspects of the mahathir era- an aversion to civil freedom.
Also question the need for Umno, regardless of how ever remote, having to bear the cost of a political backlash on something which to the eyes of many is a personal feud.STimes is suppose to be the main articulator of Umno’s and the nations position and this controversy will compromise its ability to play that function.
Who knows..they did block the media merger maybe they be receptive. We must throw the pebble into the lake and see where the ripples spread. We must try adding new variables into the political equation and in my humble opinion your idea has tremendous merit.
Remind them, that, if the idea is to punish the two blokes, then limit it to that.Just do not allow the paper to be draged in.If its allowed to continue there will be alot of innocent bystanders who might bear the cost resulting from a weakend STimes.
Again my appologies for being presumptious or my language abit hurried. M really in a hurry.
Sorry
mt remp
Pn Nuraina,
If possible DONT mention that some quaters will interprete the legal action, rightly or wrongly, as curtailing our freedom.
They dont by that and neither do alot of thinking Malaysians, simply because it doesnt hold water.At least not just in support of the bloggers. After all, doesnt the excersise of freedom belong to both parties, the defendants and also the plaintifs?Anyway, superficialy, it's easy to use that argument for and against the bloggers and we dont want to give them a basis for dismissing us out of hand.
To me its easiear to defend and more plausible if we potray the issue simply as an act of intimidation.
For the sake of the papers image and ability to play its role as the main articulator of ARMNO's position effectively, such an image would be detrimental.And once it has entrenched itself in the public imagination, it'll be hard to get rid off, even if the circumstances that gave birth to it no longer existed.
As such, again pls remind them, in that distintive style of yours, that the cost that this legal action will have will last a long time. The cost of what is expediant might not be worth the negetive ramifications that it has into the future.
Negative ramifications which, i might add, are hard to ascertain at this juncture.
As such anything that might limit the political options that ARMNO has in the future, should be avoided.
I discovered a place where you can get pulut durian bubur!!!!
Peace !
Dear Nuraina,
I find it hard to comprehend why NST is wrong to sue a a blogger for posting unsubtantiated accusations against it? I know that this matter actually involves a few individuals at NST at the time in question. However, the point of the matter is: if you're brave and foolish enough to make wild claims and accusations against someone, you must be brave enough to accept whatever repurcussions that might come to you.You're suggesting that the accused have a discussion with the accuser to sort this matter out. But I find that totally out of step with reality. The reality is that someone's reputation is injured, and he or she has the right to institute legal proceedings.
We hear, every so often, of politicians lying about another, and or making odious accusations of their rivals. This is splashed all over the newspapers hence destroying the victim's reputation.Even when an apology has been made, the victim continues to suffer because the man on the street wants to believe in the worst of another.There will then always be doubts about the victim.
Personally,I like how Lee Kuan Yew goes about like a hawk, suing anyone who dares make unsubtantiated claims against him. Some might think that this is going against freedom of speech, but in my opinion, freedom of speech carries with it responsibility and accountability.If you have the proof, go for it. If you don't, then it's best you shut up.Bloggers have no right to make wild claims. Like mainstream press, they have a responsibility to ensure that whatever is written, is done so with full facts that will back up their missive. This is one of the reasons why I've long ago given up reading Petra's Malaysia Today, and all other blogs that begin with Malaysia as its name.Their constant haranguing of their rivals without even a sliver of fact, is reprehensible.
Let the courts decide if there is a case to answer in this suit.As for bloggers: be responsible in what you write.
Eugene
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