Contemporaneity of Historicity: Appropriation of Historical Identities in Malaysian Blogosphere

Abstract: Parts of history remain contemporaneous and dynamic in narrating the nation, more so in cyberspace. This paper is an analysis of bloggers whose blogs appropriate identities such as Mamak Bendahara Sri Maharaja Tun Mutahir and Tun Teja Ratna Benggala- both significant characters in the history of Malaysia. While traditional Malay practices uphold loyalty and obedience of the subject towards sovereign power, modern Malays, buoyed up by the emancipation and anonymity of cyberspace, have rejected these old norms and promoted new alternatives in their dealings with authority. There seems to be a paradox at play between the ancient identities assumed and the attitudes towards the contemporary issues and concerns discussed in their blogs. Our analysis focuses on the metamorphosis of historical figures and the bloggers ’ opinions towards contemporary figures of authority. We shall examine the issues raised which are relevant in the Asian context generally and Malaysian situation specifically, the positions the bloggers undertake, and the kinds of responses they receive from their readers. We shall seek to answer the extent to which the appropriation of historical identities by these bloggers has metamorphosed into voices of dissent and resentment of the current seat of authority and leadership