On the same day when blogger Nathaniel Tan was arrested,

Police Asked To Investigate Websites Spreading Lies

JITRA, July 14 (Bernama) — Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharom who himself was slandered on the Internet that he had taken bribes, wants the Police to initiate investigations to trace writers spreading lies through websites. He said that he had instructed the Police’s Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID) to undertake the investigations and bring the culprits to book.

But, why he was remanded four days under OSA? Polytikus asked. Yes, it is indeed why?

“Hi sweetie!”

[......]

Johari said he ordered police to investigate on the two Freewebs website that bears that ‘official secret’. Remember, defamation is one thing, calling it an ‘official secret’ is another. If Nat can get in trouble for a comment left in his blog. Then words to those who have posted it up on their blog, you could be next.

Does it mean the so-called slander was a fact and it was an Official SECRET also? I’m confused, totally lost. Didn’t you?

Thanks to mob1900 for the poster. Sign the petition, would you (just click on the picture)?

Speaking of blogging, I still remember months ago (March, April, May 2007) our Ministers kept on voiced in mainstream newspapers don’t trust the blogs; bloggers will harm the harmony society in Malaysia; all bloggers are liars and you name it. Apparently, their goals were accomplished.

Allow me to share a short story to you. I met a young Malaysian in his twenties (my friend’s friend) through Window Live Messenger. When I told him I write blog, immediately of his response to me was DON’T write blog. I felt curious and asked him why? He said I will get caught under ISA. I felt more curious and asked again why he said so. Well, the answer from him was read that from newspaper (I believe he referred to the message of the news in newspapers).

Apparently the messages were reached to Malaysians. The misconception was implanted into Malaysians mind –

Blogger = Anti-Kerajaan
Blogger = Arrested under ISA/OSA/whatever A-lah

What about those bloggers write about their travel experience; their knowledge in particular area likes computer or cooking skills and etc? I myself had written several posts entry about my Langkawi trip recently in another blog of mine. My colleagues here like those posts. One of them told me she is planning to have vacation in Langkawi in the future. Anti-Kerajaan?

After blogger Nathaniel Tan was arrested under OSA probe as the first case in Malaysia. I believe the misconception in Malaysians mind will become deeper.

I just wonder why we don’t doubt twice to whatever information present in front of our eyes for example newspapers. Many of us just accept it without any question mark in his/her mind. Why? Can’t we change?

TechTags Plugin [ Nathanuel Tan | Nat Tan | Blogger | Malaysia | ISA | OSA | misconception ]

• After blogger Nat Tan was arrested
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• Leave bloggers in Malaysia alone! (4)

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 15th, 2007 at 1:57 pm and is filed under Blogger Beware, Internet, Police. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Thank you very much for your time and your visit. I write my feeling and opinion in this blog. Therefore, if you don't like it, you have the right to leave this blog. No one can force you continue to read or access to this blog. Just try understand what blog is, will you? You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.