Desi was slightly apprehensive attending Blog House Msia do yesterday...

So I rbought along two bodyguards from Furong. If you have to ask where/what is Furong, Desi's short dismissal willl be : Hey, get *Ooouch of **here/hear! Two more/amore to follow next!:)

NOTE that wordplay marked * and ** above are examples of knotty Desi's blog writing using DDC -- Da Desi Code -- a term aof enderament gifted me by Ipohlang I nicked AWEofHelen... she couldn't trun up to be the third bodyguard as she committed to Easter celeb with Ipohlites, Desi doesn't ***no if it's da Truth or ****knot!:) OR :(

However, I am glad I made the effort to tstart journey from Seremabn at 7.00AM -- the newshound in me always made me give ample time, dont wanna get scooped, fellow nesdogs understand that mottoeh! Butt two BUMmers couldnot wake up early on an unusual Sunday, so vvveee arrived at exNikko Hotel -- InterContinental now, why? -- at 9.10AM, late by 10minutes. My apprehension disappeared with the whiff of hot coffee and BF spread, soon hugged by bigDOG and a Latuk Ahirudin Attan aka rockybru though coffee served on this adbiser's be1/2 was not of his brewing as he was too bees-y entertaining fellow Bloggers from the ASEAN region. First time for Malaysian bloggers well backed by the government -- hence the VIP speakers that addressed the gathering at lunchdime. Which was well sponsored by 5 BIGgie listed comapnies where Desi has no clout/d! Sigh, sigh 4a w'ile! or two viles? (Thinking of RPK in Bangkok and his sidekick Haris Ib, chair and Prez of seven-month-old MCLM who should have been invited as VVIP and giften talk-time worthy of another TV3 cover as these two are "Father" to the opposition...Hey, PM's talk did encourage interaction betweenpro- and anti-government ++++BUMmers. That BUM refers to struggling Bloggers' Universe Malaysia and at its BUM2009 outing featured former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad who caused quite a stir when he alleged that udring his 22-year-long premiership, his regime DID NOT CENSOR THE PRESS. He said t was the Editors-in-Chief, anting to curry-favour with him, wo self-censored the copies so that only "feel good for BN" stories were highlighted!

This c;aim was repeated when he addressed the crowd of 300plus people --comprising mainly bloggers, MSM newshounds and a few inteprid freelance writHers like Desi -- pre-lunch.

Let me just say these TWO reports from the Star -- I invested RM1.20 on the print copy, not like some of you only reading Star Online, OK! -- so to ease myself, the online versions follow:

Copywan:


Monday April 25, 2011
PM believes a lot of good can come out of bloggers’ union

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has pledged to uphold the Government's promise not to censor the Internet.

He said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, during his tenure as prime minister, had promised that Malaysia would never censor the Internet.

“The current Government intends to keep to his word,” Najib said in his speech at the First Asean Regional Bloggers Conference here yesterday.
Meeting of minds: Najib opening the 1st Asean Regional Bloggers Conference in Kuala Lumpur Sunday. With him is Dr Mahathir.

Najib also said the social media had become a powerful tool that could create havoc and had led to the downfall of regimes and governments.

He added that the Government wanted to work with bloggers and establish a relationship based on mutual respect, adding that digital democracy would be promoted.

“We are not afraid of bloggers. It is important that you put forward your views so we can build a better future for our country.

“The Government will accept constructive criticism and allow freedom of speech on blogs but we must draw the line at lies.

“If we use cyberspace to tell lies and half-truths, that is wrong,” he added.

Najib expressed optimism that the union of bloggers in the region would bring more good than bad.

He said the union might pose a bigger threat to governments.

“But that is an extreme view. I believe more good can come out of this union,” he added.

Among those present were the Prime Minister's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Dr Mahathir and Blog House Malaysia president Syed Akbar Ali.

Related Stories:
Bloggers urged to unite despite opposing views

Copytoo:


Monday April 25, 2011
Bloggers urged to unite despite opposing views
By P. ARUNA
aruna@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has called on the blogger community to come together regardless of their political views.

“Try to also engage those who are highly critical or even against the government,” he told bloggers who attended the 1st Asean Regional Bloggers Conference here yesterday.

He said a union that included those “on the other side” would reduce the polarisation among bloggers and allow a free flow of discussion.

The Prime Minister said this during a question and answer session after delivering his keynote address at the conference.

To another question, Najib said he believed that the perception of bloggers and other Internet users towards the Government had improved compared with the situation before the previous general election in 1998.

“The people may be pro-government on some issues and against the government on other issues. I believe the flow of opinions on cyberspace today are more balanced compared with how it was previously,” he said.

To a question on what could be done to ensure that the people did not fall for lies and half-truths found on the Internet, Najib said education was the key.

“In order for democracy to function well, we need to have a population that is discerning,” he said adding that education would give the people the ability to decide on what was the truth and what was not.

“It is a journey. As we become more developed and more people have access to tertiary education, I believe we will be able to close this gap,” he said.

He also addressed a question on the boundaries of freedom and regulation on the Internet.

“If you stick on the path of telling the truth, you can't go wrong. But if you try to manipulate the cyberspace for your own political gains, you will be exposing yourself to all the ramifications and consequences,” he said.

DESIDERATA: I gave TWO SALUTES to the two HIGHLIGHTED (BOLDED THUS) SECTIONS of the two Star repoprts I reproduced without paying royalty. Will they report me to de MCMC ah?

I hope that PM Najib can be relied on to keep his word.

Remember, my dear fRiends at home and from abroad -- and I believe several of the foreigners to acquainted wit' yesterday will pop in to desiphere my knotty writHes! -- what Najib's predecessor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said? -- "Walk with me, work with me"

and

what we witnessed over five years was was Pak Lah sleep-wokking the talk, and working the jeans!

However, I still believe Pak Lah is a "decent fellow" for he gave DS Anwar a respite from the courts and further incarceration at Sungai Buloh or Kamunting.

Was this singular act of Pak Lah good enough to redeem awe his weaknurses? Time will tell as Malaysians cling to some HOPE for Change at Putrajaya comth GE13. I am only xxpressing feedback from average Joes at Seremban Main Market where I linger everydae from 9am becos I can't afford AllsonKlana or Nikko, oh no!, hotel.:)

CHOW!

which can mean


Seeya later!:)


OR

Come, let's makan-makan!:):)

PS: For newcomers reading my current post FOOLofErrata, email Desi at chongyl2000@yahoo.com for an XXplanation!:) No Xrating please because some 15-year-olds --especially from Melaka -- like to come visit Desi in the steal of the night!