The role of new media in the last election has been overstated as there was limited direct access (<50%) to the internet. However, the secondary access, e.g. downloading and printing out, SMS, WOM etc has a much greater impact on the electoral.
However it is not deniable that internet media made people like Jeff Ooi possible others include Tony Pua, Elizabeth, Nik Azmi etc – people know them because they are bloggers.
It is important to point out that in the next election in 2012, it is a long time in technology, broadband would be widely accessible and sophisticated phone would allow everyone to have direct access to new media, hence bring about a true political war in the cyber space.
The political paradigm shift is PERMANENT due to the followings:
1. The Rakyat have buried the ghost of 1969 – implied potential violence if voted too many opposition has not occur.
2. Though many thought that the result was because BN fumble and not because the opposition won – 80% voted based on that sentiment, but only 20% regretted. They saw the opposition run the state and it’s not disaster as claimed by BN.
3. Rakyat were empowered. It was realized in particular among the non-Malays (especially Indians), they know there is now a choice. They will not likely be going back to MIC in the near future. On the other hand, Chinese especially in Penang who are famous for split voting did not do so this time. They were all for DAP, even PAS or PKR. Although it was a protest vote but it became a wake up call.
4. Emergence of the 2 party system.
5. Now there is a basis of comparisons – 5 significant states ran by opposition. The people can compare the accountability, clean, transparency. The general sense is that PR is not perfect but is cleaner than BN, e.g. LGE has always says he dun have experience in running a government but he also have no experience in corruption. PAS & DAP people are extra careful in everything they do. Penang people interviewed are quite happy with LGE, and if the federal government punishes the rakyat, they will only blame BN and not PR. BN can not match what is offered by PR e.g. Freedom of Information Act.
6. Media HAS changed. No law has changed but voices are now more critical, news covered is more balanced. The media realized that they have to change or the people will abandon them. It is noticed that more professional journalism emerging e.g. The Nut Graph, Project Malaysia to spur the mainstream media. They are under pressure. Never before, debate between governments and opposition televised nationally. With this we can see the maturing of the political system.
