Malaysiakini says thank you to all for their support
Overwhelming support in cash and kind have poured in for online daily malaysiakini which recently experienced a series of problems with the police and Umno Youth, the young wing of the country's leading political party.
After a police raid on Monday, where 19 computers were carted away for "forensic examination" over a 'seditious' letter published on the news website, malaysiakini was dealt a double blow when it was slapped with an eviction notice from its landlord PC Suria.
The raid was in response to a police report lodged by Umno Youth over the letter written by a reader which the youth movement claimed had questioned Malay special rights in the country.
According to the notice of termination from PC Suria, the main reason for the eviction order is that malaysiakini "had been found involved in activities which contravene the laws of the country".
Computers, cash and office
Speaking at the forum "Freedom of the Media and Sedition" in Kuala Lumpur yesterday,
malaysiakini
editor-in-chief Steven Gan disclosed that the on-line daily has received RM13,000 in donations and four computers from various sectors of the public.
Three computers were donated by USJ.com webmaster Jeff Ooi, supporters Joey Tan and Chan Choon Kit. The fourth was donated by an anonymous reader.
Gan said since the eviction order on malaysiakini was revealed, three generous well-wishers have offered their office space so that the on-line daily can carry on publishing.
He thanked everyone for the encouragement, adding he was amazed by the support shown by the public over the website's current predicament.
"I never thought the police action could create such a lot of sentiments. Within hours of the raid, when malaysiakini could not even tell its readers about what had happened, more than 200 people had gathered and held a candlelight vigil outside the office," he said.
"We truly appreciate all the support and malaysiakini cannot do without such support," he stressed.
The forum was organized by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and the
National Human Rights Society (Hakam).
Other speakers include former Hakam president and Bar Council chairperson Raja Aziz Addruse, prominent media studies and communication academic from UKM Dr Mohd Safar Hasim, JUST International executive committee member K Haridas.
The speakers spoke widely on topics ranging from the Sedition Act, history of media laws governing press freedom and the importance of a media council.
Team support
Meanwhile, Gan also introduced the
malaysiakini
team members to the 50-odd people who
attended the forum, saying "I cannot do without the support of the team".
When relating his present crisis, he said that the mark of a good editor is someone who will publish opinions that he or she "vehemently opposes".
"Then only can we say that the editor is doing his or her job. If you only publish articles that reflect your own opinion, then it is no longer a newspaper but a propaganda tool," he added.
Gan said malaysiakini tried to live up to that standard by giving readers an opportunity for vibrant discussions on controversial issues.
"We do not have to agree to whatever we publish but it is for this very reason that we are now in this situation," he added.
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