THERE are still three days before the main event kicks off, but Man U is already basking in the local cybersphere’s spotlight, with sharply increased mentions in blogs and Web searches. The usually nondescript N41 Manik Urai in Kelantan is also having its moment of fame.

This will be yet another politics slugfest; a continuation of the general election year last that refused to end. Next Monday will see the same rituals repeated in Kuala Krai town, and culminating ― but not concluding ― the latest of the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat “Elections Extravaganza”.

Permatang Pauh, Kuala Terengganu, Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau, Batang Ai and Penanti; and coming soon Man U. Many admit to being satiated; and they include the grassroots who had cheered for the winners.

There are the financial, physical and psychological stress and strain that everyone goes through during each fight. And then the country is put through the wringer yet again. If there were extraterrestrials observing Earth, like the character of Ford Prefect in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by (deceased) Douglas Adams, they might conclude that holding elections is a primary and also critical industry in Malaysia.

Many appear to be willing participants despite them also voicing out their “exasperation about the situation” ― and then feeding the cycle. The politicians’ parts are mostly to be expected, of course. As are the media (okay, I should be flogged too as an accessory). But don’t forget the social and political bloggers, especially those who had been writing posts of various angles that whetted the public’s appetite.

Do the majority of Malaysians actually favour, and subtly encourage the various decision makers into having elections? Do we also raise the stakes by tying various issues to a particular election – and claiming “proof of endorsement” and “rakyat have spoken” – when this might not be so?

If you are somehow not aware of it, these elections have resulted in anger and resentment having built up among certain sections of our population ― of people feeling “deprived and denied”, or/and “having rights seized or threatened” ― in a few core issues. With the Manik Urai by-election, Web 2.0, especially blogs, might help us understand things like “What are the people thinking of?”, “What do they value?”, “What are the common denominators that we can start cooperation on?”

Unfortunately, as for the last one, the manner in which Malaysians appear to differ, appear to be of the “Winner take all” model which results only in continued animosity “until we meet again the next time”. Support for one side also means “totally against the other”.

At least that’s what it looked like judging from the blogs that are either vo- cal and partisan extensions of one side or the other. However, a striking trend at one unique directory might suggest that the SoPo blogs had provided a distorted impression of the grassroots.

Or at least those who are inclined to blog. There’s something special and charming about the Kelantan Bloggers directory (kelantanbloggers. blogspot.com), with this by-election in mind. It is quite unlike most other directories and aggregators, with their decidedly partisan involvement, like Beras Padu, X-Blogs, and Penggabung Suara. And also blogs with links and sometimes RSS to others too. It’s true that they would also include some sites that are on “the opposing side”, but that doesn’t qualify them as “neutral” by a long shot. However, Kelantan Bloggers is the most democratic, in that anyone and everyone can be listed.

That is provided they adhere to the main theme, of course. The blog’s owner is a Kelantanese, or someone staying in the State, or connected to the State in some way. And the other crucial policy is this. There is no human intervention or tweaking with how the posts and links are displayed.

The most recent is at the very top. It doesn’t matter what it’s all about. With more than 230 members currently, a look at the posts might help provide clues on how the people there think and what they have in mind. Many might have expected matters related to Manik Urai to be the hottest topic.

Kelantan is the host this time, after all. But surprisingly, that isn’t so! Although there were some posts about the by-election, and one or two decidedly partisan and hardlined, they were overwhelmed by posts that talked of “other things”.

It’s true that there would most likely be more political posts in the coming days. However, the fact that it reflected many people not being obsessed by politics and coming across as “friendly, helpful and neighbourly” is heartwarming and encouraging.

Do we dare hope others elsewhere in Malaysia regardless of whether they have blogs or not are reasonable and pleasant people too?... which opens up possibilities. Have our politicians, SoPo bloggers and the media been doing everyone a disservice by too much focus on politics; as if that’s the most crucial matter in life, and making us neglect the better things?