In my opinion, Chia Kwang Chye's defence on the police raid on malaysiakini - by saying that the online daily has to be responsible - require clarification that will ultimately render his position indefensible.

The question is, responsible to whom and to what. As journalism goes, it is malaysiakini 's responsibility to be truthful to the news that it is reporting. As a conduit for Malaysians to let their voices to be heard, it is also malaysiakini 's responsibility to publish letters from its readers that addresses legitimate issues that are relevant to Malaysian politics, society and economy.

In both regards, I've seen malaysiakin i made extraordinary efforts to cover both BN, BA and DAP news in spite of BN's counter-effort to suppress the online daily by banning them from official events and threats, especially those made by the police and BN officials.

Malaysiakini

's responsibility is not to BN, BA or DAP. Its responsibility is to all Malaysians and to safeguard the sanctity of journalism by being independent, fair and balance. Frankly, it is BN and police action that prevent malaysiakini from fulfilling its responsibilities in their entirety. It is also the reason why malaysiakin i runs more opposition news then the BN news.

But on closer examination, its reports do not tend to cover up unthoughtful statements made by opposition parties, namely PAS. This coverage generates unfavourable reactions among Malaysian Muslims as well as non-Muslims, evidence of which could be found in the readers' letters published.

To me, the only way to keep malaysiakini from appearing as an opposition website is ironically for BN to open its door, and to start talking to malaysiakini and stop harassing its reporters. The only "downside" I can see is that the openness will force the politicians to be responsible to what they say and do.

However, it is a true test of their merits. So it is really an upside for Malaysians and the development of Malaysia in general.