I refer to the letter Should Malaysiakini go free?

‘A Malaysiakini Fan’ suggests Malaysiakini should be free to all. That would be nice in a situation where it enjoys strong advertising revenue and is financially strong and can afford it.

But one does not have to be a maths genius to realise that the present advertising revenue would not be sufficient to pay the rent for its office let alone all the other expenses in running the online.

As one who has been in senior management of a newspaper company many years ago, I know what I am talking about. A newspaper needs a critical level of paid readership and advertising revenue before it breaks even, and the idea of a free Malaysiakini at the present juncture is not viable.

Instead we all ought to do more to help. There are so many ways to help from providing news leads, writing, or soliciting subscribers for it. The ways we can help are only limited by our imagination and willingness to do something.

Those that are able to provide freebies are usually large corporations or someone with a deep pockets. To expect the present management of Malaysiakini to fit this mould is unrealistic. You sometimes wonder if the management takes home anything at all. But such is the price of passion.

It is obvious the Malaysiakini crew are much driven by passion, the same passion that drives people to write letters and columns and opinions and take part in marches in the streets. These talented guys could have done better financially elsewhere yet they have persevered because of their passion. But you can't survive on passion alone.

And at what personal cost? Is it fair for Malaysians to let them carry the costs for benefits that we will subsequently reap? After all, when there is better governance we all are the beneficiaries and Malaysiakini has been pivotal in providing the platform for the dissemination of news and views that eventually formed the public opinion that resulted in five states going to the opposition.

The best thing we all can do is to bolster the financial resources of this online website and support it in various ways. I don't think Malaysiakini wants handouts. Those who have benefitted should not have short memories.

Malaysiakini represents the vanguard of a free media which is crucial for a democracy. It needs strong financial support to maintain that role. It was the first online to cut a swathe through the jungle of censorship and many bloggers first gained prominence through this online. Despite government and police harassment, Malaysiakini stood their ground and did not capitulate to the forces of repression.

While in recent times there are bloggers and the phenomenon of citizen journalism, they cannot replace a professional and independent newspaper, whether print or online. I have followed many Malaysian blogs but none of them are anywhere near the professionalism of Malaysiakini .

One obvious shortcoming of blogs is the absence of checks and balances within those blogs. They tend to be one-person shows (nothing wrong with that) though some like Raja Petra's Malaysia Today provide powerful exposes. But still, they are not the same as a professional newspaper.

If we all play our part in helping Malaysiakini become a strong independent voice for the people, democracy will get a better chance of seeing the day. There is an awakening in Malaysia but the journey is still tenuous and nothing should be taken for granted. I would encourage every reader to be a subscriber and to recruit others. It is the least they can do.

Even the former PM, Dr Mahathir Mohammed has had to eat humble pie and use Malaysiakini (which he persecuted) as his channel of communication when deserted by those journalists that once queued to see him. It is his tacit approval of Malaysiakini especially its indispensable role as a voice for the underdog.

As a businessman I would have no hesitation in advertising in Malaysiakini and I would urge other business people to consider doing the same. It is another practical form of support.

In fact there is no reason for the governments run by former opposition parties to show their support for the online website that once gave them a louder voice. If the federal government has learned anything it should not continue to persecute Malaysiakini which in my judgement is not pro-or anti anyone but stands for independent journalism.

Finally the government should do the decent thing of releasing the Hindraf 5 and all other prisoners of conscience held unfairly and imorally under the ISA. Malaysia can hold its head high and prove beyond a doubt that democracy is still alive and there is hope for a brighter future.

For the winners and losers there is always tomorrow even if it is five years away. But for now, let's vote for Malaysiakini .