Malaysiakini has been consistently portrayed as a free and independent news source. However, your recent coverage on the problems faced by Keadilan (see Kumpulan pro-Abim menyengat semula ) is unfortunately out-of-synch with your claims of objectivity.

First of all, the report exaggerates the support obtained by the so-called "pro-Abim" faction. Although several people did walk out, a vast majority (over two-thirds) of delegates continued to observe and participate in the proceedings. However, your report described the "walk-out" of scarcely 30 members as a major event. Well, what about the over 600 who remained? The majority voted overwhelmingly to merge with PRM and they are definitely in the ascendancy.

Your report also claims that the walk-out represents the start of a new "opposition campaign" within the party. This is hardly true. Many of those who walked out have not been active in party matters for over a year and command very little support, as shown in the party elections in Kemaman last November. However, they are given great voice by the pro-Barisan Nasional media and now by malaysiakini in order to 'spice' the perception that there are storms brewing in Keadilan.

I note that your report is also the only one without a byline. May I say that the only asset malaysiakini has is its integrity and it should continue that tradition by informing readers who wrote the piece.

In previous times, I have disregarded pro-BN comments made by a certain reporter (formerly pro-BN) who works in your company as he has shown unfair and biased leanings against opposition parties. I have the feeling he wrote this absurd piece, but chose instead to "hide" behind the anonymity. Has malaysiakini become a news site with a hidden agenda? I think we should be told.

Editor's note: The reason the above-mentioned news article, written by Nash Rahman, did not carry his byline was due to an oversight in the uploading process. We have now rectified the error.