The 'Negarakuku' YouTube video, the subsequent reactions of its viewers and the current national debate that has arisen, signify the efficacy of new technology. Malaysian politics is now truly digital.

Like iron that 'made' the industrial revolution by giving us mechanical printers faciliting the rise of newspapers, digital technology is empowering the individual with its impact felt at the highest levels of government. More significantly, over 500,000 people have watched the 'Negarakuku' video and quite a few reacted to it.

Of course, news websites have helped open up public debate but 'Negarakuku' is a breakthrough because the most contentious issues of Malaysian life were exposed, debated (albeit heatedly and rudely) and Malaysia survived.

Many of us were able to walk in the shoes of each other. The real surprise, based upon scanning through the responses posted for the video, was that a few with opposing viewpoints became friends. 'Negarakuku' has shown that we only need to connect to understand each other.

Having said all that, 'Negarakuku' also shows the limitations of individual freedom. Insensitive comments about people's faith, in this case shown through the juxtaposition of ideas and images, are unacceptable. Similarly, ethnic stereotypes are also unhelpful. The creator of the video wears his prejudices on his sleeves and he was rightly castigated by his viewers.

That some in government propose to strip him of his citizenship whilst a few deranged individuals want to wipe out his parents goes to show how equally immature some Malaysians can be.

But some very fundamental issues arising from the video like loyalty to the nation, alleged corruption in the police force, youths feeling themselves alienated from nation-building (whether basking in Taiwan or riding bikes in the streets of KL), have not made it into the mainstream media.

Other than for former IGP Hanif Omar , few mainstream commentators dare to go where angels fear to tread. But the mainstream media would do well to think up creative ways of addressing some of these issues. Otherwise the hand of the government, already very obvious, will become onerous. BN must remember that it wins elections based upon its moderate stance. It need not feel ashamed of such a platform.

Malaysians would profit if we tried to understand what motivated the making of the 'Negarakuku' video as well as the range of responses it created. 'Negarakuku' is a reflection, albeit a distorted one, of the state of Malaysia.

Like all distortions, the image is ugly but fundamentally based upon reality. It shows us that we are, regardless of ethnicity, a people divided by inequality, corruption and injustice. Telling the young to re-live the spirit of Merdeka in such circumstances is to deny realpolitik, the politics of reality.

However, future politicians will do well to think out of the box. The days of quick fixes are over. Merely shutting down newspapers or stripping citizens of their birthright will not stop the proliferation of ideas. It is better for politicians to help the government make the transition from a politics of feudalism to digitalpolitik, the politics of the future.