From time to time I need to remind our readers what Malaysia Today (MT) is all about, what was the reason we launched MT in August 2004, and what is our mission, vision and agenda. I have received a lot of comments from readers about what we should and should not be doing. Let me clear up some of these fallacies.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
1. MT is not an online newspaperSome comment that we should be ‘careful’ about the news that we carry and that we should practice ‘proper journalism’.
MT is not an online newspaper. We are a psy-war and black ops outfit. Our job is to counter the spins of the government-controlled mainstream electronic, print and online news agencies. Nevertheless, we do pick up ‘third party’ news and blog postings from others to publish in MT. We do not generate our own news.
So we are not bound by ‘journalistic standards’.
2. MT is a guerrilla outfit
Our job is to ‘attack the enemy from behind enemy lines’. And just like in any ‘normal’ guerrilla operation, we select targets to hit and focus on demolishing these targets. Our aim is to create maximum damage to these targets with a view to cripple the ‘other side’.
3. MT accepts collateral damage
Sometimes, when we take out selected targets, some ‘non-combatants’ may suffer as well. This is the ‘collateral damage’ that we have to accept. In any guerrilla operation we can’t always ensure that innocent bystanders may not invariably get hit as well.
War does not spare the innocent and the objective of the operation is to ensure successful demolition of the target whatever the consequences.
4. MT is not Wikileaks
There are some who say that MT should just publish the evidence/documents of government wrongdoings and allow the readers to form their own opinion like Wikileaks. They say MT should not make comments or write commentaries to influence the readers’ opinions.
MT is not Wikileaks. We publish evidence and documents whenever we can get our hands on them but when we can’t we shall publish what we are told by Deep Throats and inside sources.
Our key objective is to ‘turn around’ the readers to our way of thinking. So commentaries and our opinion of things are very crucial in being able to achieve this.
5. MT is not an opposition organ
There are some who feel that MT should focus on highlighting the transgressions, abuses, wrongdoings and violations of the government and not criticise the opposition, which would ‘give ammunition’ to the government to use against the opposition.
MT is not an opposition organ and we are not obliged to the opposition. Our job is to reveal the transgressions, abuses, wrongdoings and violations of the politicians and leaders and those who walk in the corridors of power at federal and state level.
6. MT is fighting for change
MT wants to see change. And change can be achieved in two ways. One way would be for the government to change (reform) and the other would be to change the government. Either way is fine as far as we are concerned.
Granted it may be almost impossible to expect the government to change after 54 years in power and 54 years of bad habits. So the only option open to us would be to change the government instead. But that is still one of the two options and we will leave both options open and go for the best option in achieving this change.
Currently, that best option appears to be to change the government rather than hope for the government to change.
7. Freedom of speech is not freedom to insult
There are some who feel that MT should not stifle freedom of speech and should not censor comments and postings in MT. MT is of the view that those who do not understand freedom of speech should not be allowed freedom of speech as this is like giving a flower to a monkey.
Even in the UK, which has a high tolerance for freedom of speech, they have zero tolerance for insults and racial slurs. You can get arrested and sent to jail for making racial slurs or for making any statement viewed as an insult to any race or religion.
8. MT is my home
While we invite comments and opinions, we also set the codes and norms for what you can and cannot do in MT. In any society, club, organisation, etc., there are codes and norms that you need to observe and if you violate these rules you would get evicted.
The final authority in deciding what is allowed and disallowed lies with us and we have the liberty to disallow what we would view as anti-social and uncivilised conduct or behaviour.
In your home you can do as you like. In our ‘home’ we decide what you can and cannot do. MT is not a democracy. There is no voting on how things are done. I own and run MT and my word is final. And if this does not suit you, you are free to take your business elsewhere.
written by imanj, May 13, 2011 12:24:19
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written by red1, May 12, 2011 14:22:00
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written by red1, May 12, 2011 14:20:25
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written by jalapeno, May 12, 2011 11:27:58
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written by guruyahya, May 11, 2011 20:11:21
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written by Vivarium, May 11, 2011 17:58:11
However, a difficult child could sometimes spice up life in a close family.. agree ?
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written by siewchinteo, May 11, 2011 16:23:04
Then, YM RPK was here in person to take the heat, even on behalf of the commenters.
Now.......... commenters beware?
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written by lakian, May 11, 2011 15:14:58
the gold medal will be there,shouldn't be too far.
this is not an insult,this is heart deep speaking.
god bless.
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written by lakian, May 11, 2011 15:02:38
anyhow,MT is so popular we like it. it is not opposition organ,truly it is a tool for the opposition.
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written by Rodins Fist, May 11, 2011 15:00:54
Now, I use so-called real newspapers to wipe my ass; that's all they are worth. Their so-called 'journalists' are a bunch of umno monkeys with a shared typewriter and censor each other with "See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil." Pathetic writers. A real waste of education.
Oddly all these "literate monkeys" like to attack RPK. Perhaps they are so jealous that he is a real game-changer for the Rakyat. Better than these monkeys.
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written by AlwaysFair, May 11, 2011 14:00:23
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written by AlwaysFair, May 11, 2011 13:56:10
Dear Pete, we Malaysians, in case you've forgotten have a very high tolerance for insults and racial slurs. I face this my whole life, May13th threats, chinese power, christian, pendatang blared from the multi-media. As a result I have conditioned myself to tolerate such insults or else I might land up psycho, since I did not migrate when I was younger. Or have you been away so long you didn't follow the daily news nowadays.
BTW we are also quite immune to sex slanders involving front or back-sides since it is an accepted practice here to neutralise someone. Even worse now they have started the fashion of swearing at mosques.
I will continue to tolerate such insults because I am just the minority but I always vote the opposition hoping for change so I first class citizen again.
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written by justice seeker, May 11, 2011 13:09:34
I HAVE READ AND STILL AGREE TO THE TERMS OF USAGE....
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written by Alice, May 11, 2011 12:50:52
We will try to abide by the rules and regulations but no promises.
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written by NSTPravda, May 11, 2011 12:45:39
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written by a guest, May 11, 2011 00:29:36
i don't know you nor have met you. but you resonate my beliefs, my values and my hopes for the future of the country. i support entirely your 8 points that some readers mistake MT for.
my only wish is that you should be harsher and more strident! why made any apology or excuses? political change is HARDBALL, there is no give or take - no prisoners taken, and all those Frogs and fence-sitters must be politically exterminated. i think any of your followers who go "maybe rpk will succeed in giving me something better" IS NOT WORTH YOUR TIME. so don't waste time explaining.
i say hit hard and fast -- just look at that STUPID utusan fabrication on "christian Malaysia"!
AND REMEMBER A LESSON FROM HISTORY: revolutions (change) are not led by the masses; but by the masses misled by a minority (BECAUSE THE MASSES DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER!).
for 50 years umno/bn has used that to control and suppress the masses. break that hold by informing the masses!
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written by claude, May 10, 2011 23:15:17
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written by langdale, May 10, 2011 22:54:18
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written by earthman, May 10, 2011 22:39:03
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written by usurper, May 10, 2011 22:30:39
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written by Oscar Winner, May 10, 2011 22:15:59
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written by Motherchell, May 10, 2011 22:12:22
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written by ibabonma, May 10, 2011 21:36:03
Dimana bumi dipijak, disitu langit dijunjung.
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written by Aria, May 10, 2011 21:27:14
It is sad that Anwar and his party members are not using this weapon much to voice their thoughts and opinion. In fact I think Madhathir has used Malaysia Today and MalaysiaKini more effectively to voice his thoughts and opinion.
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written by Saint, May 10, 2011 20:59:28
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written by JustJobe, May 10, 2011 19:59:00
Ya Tuan!
There we go, the law be laid down!
Cheers RPK, will most definitely respect the rules of the 'house'
-e-
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written by Atheist, May 10, 2011 19:40:26
I can only say that MT strenghtens National security than any other tool available out there. TDM's and every other similiar sites censors comments in the name democracy and freedom of speech. They all forget that ..... freedom of speech assumes freedom of truth ..... an item that is highly feared in Malaysia.
Just keep up the good work, RPK!!!!!!
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written by NottyMaus, May 10, 2011 19:34:59
However, RPK, would you please classify all articles concerning Ibrahim Ali, Mahathir, Perkasa, Pembela and other rotten fellas under "No Holds Barred".
Because these fellas refuse to desist, so we want to be able to throw everything at them, including the kitchen sink and toilet bowl !
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written by malaysianohope, May 10, 2011 18:19:10
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written by Super Admin, May 10, 2011 18:09:32
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written by usurper, May 10, 2011 17:49:20
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written by malgal, May 10, 2011 17:30:15
i dont pay subs, i post comment, read others', and make my own conclusions.
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written by pinsysu, May 10, 2011 17:26:42
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written by bambooman, May 10, 2011 17:20:16
Stand in line ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Shout out LOUD ! ! ! ! ! !........2gether ! ! ! ! !..........Tiew nia mah UMNO ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
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written by eloofk, May 10, 2011 16:33:40
I'm a fan of your MT Blog since your inception. However over the years, i came across many commentaries which contain many vulgarities in voicing our anger and frustration over some topics and personalities.
As your readers are made up of many decent women folks and young children, i do suggest that you can edit or omit such vulgarities from the commentaries that your readers wrote in and deemed it as a respectable reading source.
Thank you.
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This government will NEVER BE ABLE TO REFORM as long as UMNO exists with component dog-parties being cohorts to rape and plunder the nation ! The government itself must be changed , as you have often said . Pakatan Rakyat component partners especially Parti Keadilan seem to be often edgy with RPK and his style of voicing out his thoughts ! The recent TV3 release of the February 2011 a breadth away from the Sarawak State Election sent shivers down the spinal cords of most RPK supporters and especially so are those leaders from PKR . To them , RPK had compromised himself appearing on TV3 and more so almost on the eve of the recent Sarawak State Election !
I see strained feelings on both fronts and RPK is in no mood to ease the suspicions from PKR and PKR feels that having RPK around can be disastrous to its ambitions to spearhead through to replace the present Federal government !
The real problem here is neither RPK nor PKR BUT the cunning ploys being used by the Foxes and skunks in the Federal lairs to continue the onslaughts to cause splits and distrusts among the camps of their purported political enemies ! IF there is no reconciliation insight soon, to sooth the hurt caused to RPK, then, even Sabah will be elusive to the ambitions of Pakatan Rakyat what with so many suspicious "frogs" croaking silently within the party.
Be magnanimous and forgiving, dear Pete ! PKR is truly the weakest link in Pakatan Rakyat and you are tremendously needed to lead them all out of the quicksand-pit they are in ! For the sake of a better Malaysia and with Nurul around in PKR , there should be reconciliation for effective relationship towards a better government for Malaysia .