Cyberspace and democracy in Malaysia with reference to `Bersih` 2007-2011

Abstract

This study examines the role of the cyberspace in promoting or restricting democracy in Malaysia between 2007 and 2011. It analyses the nature of the cyberspace in Malaysia, the extent to which regulators affect the nature of cyberspace and the role played by cyberspace in promoting or hindering democratic process in terms of electoral contestation, political participation and the practice of civil and political liberties in Malaysia. It also identifies and evaluates the role of political parties, civil society groups, NGOs like Bersih, election candidates, media and socio-political bloggers. This study combines the equalisation and normalisation perspectives and argues that forces of regulators i.e. laws, markets and social norms may serve to either restrict or extend democracy. This thesis is based upon a) documentation and statistical records of various government agencies, other researches and online sites such as blogs and online newspapers; qualitative content analysis of online newspapers, facebook of civil society and blogs. Interviews were carried out with representatives from political party, civil society group (Bersih 2.0) and politician. This study found that laws and market constricts cyberspace and this hinder the democratic process. However, these processes are countered by social norms and participant political culture of Malaysians. The cyberspace breaks the monopoly of mainstream media and was used as the platform by opposition parties and civil society to ventilate their grievances and promote their interests