Penang state assembly speaker Law Choo Kiang has joined some 200 supporters to date in buying a ‘brick’ under Malaysiakini’s fundraising campaign for its own building.

"You emerged during the Reformasi times. Emotionally, I am attached to Malaysiakini ,”explained Law, who started his political career in PKR in 1999 as aide to then Permatang Pauh MP and party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

“I have no great reason other than to help you buy your own home.”

Law received a sample of the brick - for which he paid RM1,000 - at his office on Light Street. He requested that it be embossed with his full name, without any honorific title.

malaysiakini buy a brick campaign for @kini building Law said Malaysiakini's entry into the news arena in November 1999, as the country faced its 10th general election, altered the media landscape in Malaysia.

He urged it to continue its struggle for press freedom and to play the role of the fourth estate effectively to push for better governance in all states.

"It played a role during the Reformasi period, but we think the country still need reforms and we hope that Malaysiakini will continue to play its role..." he said.

Asked what he thinks of the news portal keeping Pakatan Rakyat-led state governments accountable, Law said: "It is your role (to help) us (perform better).

"Despite the criticism, I believe when we are doing something good, you will also give us fair and balanced reports."

NONE Law expressed hope that the new office will have adequate safeguards, saying with a laugh, “so that the police or Special Branch officers cannot break in and seize your computers any more".

The ‘Buy a Brick’ campaign was launched on Nov 15 to raise RM3 million for the semi-detached building in Section 51, Petaling Jaya.

Named @Kini, it is located within a cluster of eight units. With renovations, it will cost about RM7 million.