How to Become a Famous Malaysian Blogger

Recently, I read an article about how to become a famous Malaysian blogger or rather perhaps a successful blogger in Malaysia where the writer pointed out that in order to be a famous and successful Malaysian blogger, the blogger must criticize the government.

It doesn't matter if what the government does is for the good of the people. A Malaysian blogger must always criticize the government.

I guess by being critical of the government, the blogger would get the much needed attention to his blog and any exposure is good exposure.

Just look at Raja Petra of the famed Malaysia Today website who has to go into hiding from the police for being too outspoken in criticizing the government.

The more he appeared in the news about what he's said on his blog, the more blog readers he gets and the more exposure his blog receives.

Perhaps, the authorities should just let him be and he probably won't be as famous as he is now. He's like a folk hero for the ordinary people who see the government as oppressive.

It's inevitable. No matter what the government does, there will always be those who don't like it. It doesn't matter if it will benefit the people. That is why the Singapore government rules like a parent who knows everything and will only give an indulging ear to her people.

I happened to sit in on a lecture that was given by the former Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Goh Chok Tong when I was at the University. He said that the government would first persuade the people to accept the policies that are to be implemented but if the people refuse to accept the policies, they will just be forced upon them. Because why? The government knows what's best for the people.

I must admit, Mr Goh isn't the most charismatic of leaders and I guess that is why he didn't stay very long as Prime Minister before Mr Lee Hsien Loong who is by the way related to Singapore's Minister Mentor who is also the first Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, took over from him. So much for a meritocratic society, eh?

Well, I'm not criticizing the Singapore government and I don't think I have enough knowledge to criticize the Malaysian government. But I do have opinions about the way the two countries are run. But today is not the day to be critical yet.

Perhaps, I will never become a famous Malaysian blogger.