LAST week, CheDet.co.cc passed one year in existence. It is extremely popular. In fact, it is the most popular, going by the numbers.

 

With almost 19 million hits since it went public, it is Number One when it comes to local socio-political blogs maintained by individuals, according to statistics charted by Alexa.com.Heck, it probably is the genuine top blog in the world by any past or present Head of State, with non-ghost written postings.

Heartened and encouraged by the response, Che Det – the pen name of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who used to write newspaper columns in the 1960s – has mentioned in his ‘Thank You’ post two days ago (see Sidebar) that he will continue on blogosphere for some time yet.

(Initially, it was mentioned latest post, but as this was being written, another popped up at 5.28pm on “The Pyramid Scheme (the fifth and final instalment in a series on the trends that led to the present financial crisis)”.

This is his 197th posting, most of which are short and succinct. While there were more than 20 postings during the first five months of his venture into the blogging world, the writing have slowly eased into the ‘teens’… an average of 13 since.

 

Dr Mahathir had started off strongly from Day One of his blog – on Workers’ Day last year – with a post titled “The Appointment of Judges”.

 

He had questioned the government's indication and desire to “work together” with the Opposition, since it did not have the required two-thirds majority to amend the Constitution.

This first post brought in an astonishing 1,242 comments! (This was on his original blog at www. chedet.com which has since moved to the present URL)

Some of the comments were criticisms, which Dr Mahathir promptly dealt with, writing a new post the following day – on why “A Weak Government is not good for Multiracial Malaysia”.

These two posts set the tone for what lay ahead. It was pointed out that the present administration could be influenced by what Mahathir felt should be the stance when it comes to dealing with the various races.

“A weak government is not good for multiracial Malaysia. It leads to unwarranted challenges against its authority,” Mahathir wrote. “Governments cannot please everybody. If a government cannot be firm and is forced to flip-flop, there will be a lack of confidence; which does not augur well for the smooth implementation of policies or projects.”

Although written a year ago, some observers would be tempted to tie yesterday's tough and strict actions by the police in Perak in dealing with the so-called “1BlackMalaysia” movement and Mahathir's writings.

He had continued: “In today’s context, the Federal Government is unable to initiate necessary changes to the Constitution and would be held to ransom every time.”

“One of the most important things about a two-thirds majority is that there would be hardly any threat of defection. Today we hear of this threat everyday.

The leadership of the Barisan Nasional is like a cat on hot bricks. And cats on hot bricks cannot achieve anything.”

Regardless of what one feels about him, Dr Mahathir had shown enough open-mindedness in allowing comments that were quite critical of him. And this is one of the reasons that explains why his blog continues to attract readers.This one by ‘Rarunasalam’ on April 16 – and others of a similar tone and content – were allowed to be published:

“Your corrupt govt (your administration) far outranks Tun Abdullah’s govt, and for now PM Najib’s govt. And in yours, you refuse to take any blame for the corrupt individuals that you let roam in Umno and in BN when you were PM sir.”

“So I think, you are just showing your hyporcrisy (sic) by advising the present PM to pick a corrupt free govt. How did Mukhriz get a ministerial appointment I ask – was it that Mukhriz is qualified or was there influence,” reader Rarunasalam further wrote.

Here, Dr Mahathir justified his strong and continued criticisms against the previous administration, saying he had “every right to do so”.

“Retiring from the government simply means giving up authority and power. It does not mean I must abdicate my role as a citizen,” Mahathir wrote.

Many believe that via blogging, the former prime minister – with his vast experience in managing the country and the Barisan Nasional coalition – will help keep the current administration on its toes.

They point out to the previous administration, which was persuaded and finally relented into handing over power last month. Many would, or have to, agree that Dr Mahathir’s vocal criticisms through the blog played a significant part in the matter. However, there are others who are less enthusiastic about this.

Besides those from the Pakatan Rakyat, there are also some leaders and supporters from Umno and other Barisan component parties who feel Dr Mahathir should just keep his words to himself.

They believe that Dr Mahathir, in possessing so much clout in the country’s political scene despite retirement, is doing more harm than good.

They feel his long shadow over the political landscape has the potential to create various divisions and splits – not just among Umno members but also in the various communities.

Whatever one feels about Dr Mahathir, one thing is for sure – his blog is a significant factor and power in national politics. Is Dr Mahathir's continued presence good or bad?

That depends on how much help or damage he could do to any given entity or cause.

But whatever, everyone will just have to live with the fact that the former prime minister and CheDet.co.cc will still be around.