The Star Onlines' surprising citizens' blog

By some odd twist of fate, readers might find themselves reading the theStar Online’s “Citizen’s Blog”. Hiding within the menu item “Interactive” on the theStar’s website was a surprising offer of free space for democratic discussion and criticism sans editorial control (so it seemed). The content posted within this blog was a clear divergence from the mainstream paper’s typically pro-government and unbalanced daily publications, including those that grace the “Letters to the Editor” and “Opinions” sections. Ironically, the diversity found in this particular shared online space outweighed the other political blogs—like Malaysia Today, Rocky’s Bru, and People’s Parliament—all of which contain an overwhelmingly pro-opposition reader contribution—just click on “results” for Malaysia Today’s “Mock Elections” poll for an idea.

Out of 12 entries posted from 27-28 February on the “Citizen’s Blog”, three were pro-Barisan Nasional, two were pro-opposition, while seven entries swung neither way indefinitely; rather, they were analytical and/or critical pieces concerning politicians on both sides, the election process as a whole, environmental implications of campaigning and strategies for improving social concerns, such as tax hikes and the rising cost of living.

One such entry, “What we need to do about price increases” (27 Feb), suggested a viable—though perhaps idealistic—approach to addressing the issue: the creation of a panel that is separate from the government, consisting of impassioned economists, industry leaders and politicians receiving input “from housewives, single parents, social workers, minimum wage income earners, college and school students, hawkers, social and religious leaders, foreign thinkers”. Though an idealistic notion, the blog entry embodies what most mainstream publications desperately lack: critical consideration of the situation and an attempt to produce concrete ideas that move towards a solution—a starting point for the kind of critical deliberation that works actively towards an answer.

If only The Star could take a page—or in this case, a log—from its online book.