In Malaysia all mainstream media are controlled by the government, all local television channels, all the local radio channel and all the local newspapers. What the media cover doesn't really show whats really going on in Malaysia, almost all Malaysian knows the fact and yet we can't do anything about it. The only source that we can trust right now is the independent web sites on the Internet, even the government tried to ruin the credibilities of Malaysian journalist who dared to publish their opinions online. What other legitimate avenues that the people can use to voice their concerns? To me the only way is through votes, and maybe that's the reason why the opposition gain such a huge victory in the 2008 election.
I think the ruling government should encourage more transparency, give the media more room to critic the government. Take US or Taiwan for example, people can freely talk about their government without fear of their ass being poke by ISA (Internal Security Act), if you have done nothing wrong, why scared of the press? Let the people say what they want to say, and let an open debate go on. I honestly believe that the people will take their best interest into consideration, we are Malaysian, we want the best for our country too. Maybe the people doesn't understand a certain law being enacted, or maybe the people doesn't really understand why the oil prices raised when we are producing oil and earning billions of Ringgit each year, so please openly, publicly explain to us why.
Obviously the issues that being raised by the opposition isn't about racial tension at all, that is what mainstream media is projecting to the people, it is actually about the inflation rate and about national security. So please, stop treating us like a child and let us know the full story.
