STAR Metro Spotlights - BUM 2008

mGf whom I endear as AweOfHelen resident mostly @allofhelen.blogspot.com but sometimes hyding out at Koala Lumpuh anonymously has been acting as Webmaster for BUM2008 very efficiently to bump UP the numbers of particpants to the Hap Bloggers' Universe Malaysia Gathering of the Year cometh May 1. Hopefully by end of third week of April, we reach 110 guests who readily invest RM50 for a meaningful event of discourse and camaraderie -- yes, we have time for FUN-d, Humour and Rumour! -- and by next week, the Organising Committeee may announce a BIG surprise to make you rush to book a plavce before Warren Buffet's table of roast lamb runs off, wit' Mary!:)

"See ya, *mGf and some-nyet-2B," Chow!:)

* In DDC, stands or sits as myGOoDfriend!

Saturday April 12, 2008

Change mindset on blogging

By SALINA KHALID

salina@thestar.com.my

THE negative perception about bloggers and blogging should be changed, said Centre for Policy Initiatives chief executive officer Dr Lim Teck Ghee.

Dr Lim said blogging could be seen as an alternative media to the masses.

“It provides a platform for public discourse irrespective of their background. The notion that bloggers mainly have negative intentions including bringing down the government and destroying the country's racial harmony is an erroneous view and politically motivated,” he said.

He added that most bloggers were concerned about the nation.

“Having a healthy public discourse will help unify the nation and build the country as well,” he added.

Therefore, the Centre for Policy Initiatives is organising a half-day public discourse at Lake View Club, Subang Jaya, on May 1.

The BUM2008, will carry the theme Towards A Civil Society and it will feature well-known bloggers, academician and journalists.

The afternoon session will talk about Fostering Civil Society – Various Voices with the National Alliance of Bloggers president Ahirudin Attan, ex-judge Datuk Syed Ahmad Idid, academician Dr Azmi Sharom, journalist Jacqueline Ann Surin as well as Dr Lim.

Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi, lawyer-cum- Selayang MP William Leong, Human Rights Advocate Haris Ibrahim, Malaysiakini.com editor-in-chief Steven Gan and journalist R. Nadeswaran will talk during the evening session.

Registration fee is RM50 per person and is limited for 120 on first come first serve basis. The fee includes buffet dinner.

For more information, log on to http://bum2008-desiderata.blogspot.com/.

Article taken from the Star.