Malaysia: Ruling Party Requires Members To Have Campaign Blogs - AP

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Candidates contesting some posts in Malaysia's ruling party will be required to set up blogs, an official said Friday (11 Apr) in a surprising turnaround for governing politicians who until recently derided online political writing as lies and rumors.

Abdul Rahman Dahlan, secretary general of the United Malays National Organization party's youth wing, said all those vying for national youth posts must have blogs to introduce themselves and their programs ahead of party elections in December.

"All candidates must have blogs," Abdul Rahman told The Associated Press. "If not, they are not qualified to be leaders."

In the past, party politicians have accused bloggers of spreading lies and rumors. Many of Malaysia's blogs contain critical commentary on the government.

But now, even youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin - who once compared bloggers to monkeys living by the law of the jungle - has a blog.

The decision appeared aimed at countering heavy losses that the ruling National Front coalition suffered in last month's general elections, partly because they underestimated the power of online campaigning. The United Malays National Party dominates the coalition.

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