Citizen Journalism Blog

To be a citizen journalist, I suppose one needs a huge dose of courage and guts to do things one doesn’t normally dare to do. Having a camera, a conviction that I can make a difference and the strong desire to share a story usually are sufficient for me.

A Member of Parliament who is also a blogger asked a favor to do a video for him. Basically, it is a pre-scripted thing and all I need was to film and edit. He has his assistants to do the interviewing etc. However, I made a deal that if I am going to do it, I also want the liberty to snoop around for some news worthy stories.

So, I went around the wet market and a Malay kampung with his assistants one very hot, sunny morning. It took me four hours long. I get what they want for their video. And I also get a scoop on the dark side of the previous administration. It doesn’t take a genius to know that these poor squatters had been given a very bad deal.

They are mostly Malay fishermen and poor folks who used to live along the coastal area and on the stilt houses in Jelutong. When they build the Jelutong Expressway, these people were placed in high rise flats costing about RM50,000. It is a densely populated area, with high crimes and also troubled youths.

But what shocked me is how these blocks of densely populated flats are without access road. Apparently, a piece of land was used to build posh, gated community homes. These gated community blocked off the access road.

Ambulances need a long time to reach the village and flats. Larger fire engines cannot enter at all. If a fire breaks out, we are looking at major tragedy.

Like what good citizens would do, I am shocked and I know that I have to do my part. Of course, these people had gone to all the levels of authorities. But I guess it takes time to reach the people who can make quick decisions. So, I did what I have to do. I alerted the highest authorities. I approached the new council chief. I shared the video link with the CM.

What will be the outcome? I don’t know. I guess I must have faith that they have heard and will take immediate action.