[1553] Of Malaysian netroot, arise

You know, in the US, there is this fraction among the Democrats called the netroot. While small in size, they are extremely vocal. How vocal?

Let just say that when the Daily Kos organized their annual convention not long ago at the beginning of nomination race for the Democrat candidate for the President of the United States, almost all Democrat candidates decided to show up to appeal to the netroot.^[1]

The Malaysian netroot has yet to play a large role for any election but the upcoming election provide a golden opportunity for them to do so. Judging by frequent mentions of the local blogosphere — specifically, the uniquely Malaysian term: “sopo“; the socio-political bloggers — by several ministers over the mainstream media in the recent past, the netroot is certainly commanding some influence over public opinion. In fact, I will venture to say that the Malaysian netroot’s influence is at its greatest peak yet and is showing no sign of retreat.

This is a disadvantage to BN which controls the mainstream media. BN’s tendency to demonize the netroot has virtually (no pun intended) guaranteed hostility between BN and the netroot. In fact, BN has pushed the netroot so hard that many in the netroot, of whom in real life are mostly urban or young Malaysians, suddenly they found themselves siding with DAP and PKR.

DAP has launched a good start with its videos and blogs spreading like wildfire over the local blogospere. PKR is expected to follow suit.

KUALA LUMPUR – THE opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) hopes to create voter buzz by fielding a batch of young and Internet-savvy candidates for the elections, as it tries to stamp out its image as a one-man show.

[…]

The party was almost wiped out in the 2004 general election. It lost four other Parliament seats and five seats in various state assemblies.

This time, it wants to field more fresh faces to appeal to young voters, and is using blogs, popular networking site Facebook and VCDs as campaigning tools.

Many of its young candidates are educated overseas, and all are avid bloggers.

British graduate Nik Nazmi, 26, is one such member the PKR is counting on. [Keadilan wants to revamp its image as a party dominated by Anwar Ibrahim. Straits Times. February 16 2008]

In many ways, this election will be the experiential exercise for the netroot and those whom seek the support of the netroot.

^[1] — CHICAGO – We’re at the second annual YearlyKos convention, where liberal bloggers have convened with excitement that almost all the Democratic presidential candidates are courting them in person on Saturday.

This was quite the coup, since a year ago at the first Kos convention, only one current Democratic presidential candidate, Bill Richardson, showed up. (Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, Gen. Wesley K. Clark, and Gov. Tom Vilsack — who were considered potential 2008 Democratic candidates at the time — were also in attendance.) [Clinton and the Bloggers. The Caucus. August 2 2007]^[↩]