Independent news portal Malaysiakini took vacant possession of its new building in a small and informal ceremony on Wednesday.

The keys to the completed building were handed over by the PJ51 Business Park developer to Malaysiakini's general manager K Manohar.

The event was attended by a number of Malaysiakini team members along with some supporters - among them Petaling Jaya Utara parliamentarian Tony Pua - who came to check out the building.

"It’s a proud moment for Malaysiakini and another milestone in our growth," said Malaysiakini CEO Premesh Chandran.

"A big thank you goes out to all our readers who have sponsored bricks and tiles to support the building fund."

To date, Malaysiakini has raised RM1.4 million from 859 contributors through its ‘Buy a Brick’ campaign, launched three months ago.

Contributions from RM1,000 to RM50,000 will receive recognition in the form of a brick or tile embossed with the contributor’s name.

The brick or tile will form part of a ‘Wall of Appreciation’ to be erected in the new building. Supporters will also get subscriptions and advertising matching their contributions.

Malaysiakini purchased the building late last year for RM6.1 million. The total cost of the building, including renovations, fittings and stamp duties, is estimated at RM7 million.

The building, dubbed @Kini, is located at the industrial area of Section 51, Petaling Jaya, off the Federal Highway.

It will house over 90 staff from Malaysiakini , KiniBiz and KiniTV , as well as webcasting studios, training facilities and a public space for forums and exhibitions.

Ready in June

According to editor-in-chief Steven Gan, Malaysiakini will be moving into its new headquarters in the middle of this year.

“Renovations will begin soon and that will take two or three months. Hopefully, we will be operating from our new home by June.”

Projects manager Lynn D’Cruz, who is in charge of the ‘Buy a Brick’ campaign, expressed the hope that Malaysiakini will maintain its “home away from home” environment with the new building.

“Not everyone is lucky in a sense that they feel like they work with family. In Malaysiakini , we do. We cherish the bond of a close-knit family,” she said.

“I hope when Malaysiakini grows big and strong, it continues to harness this one value, where staff are called colleagues and the bosses are our friends.”

For more information on the 'Buy a Brick Campaign', click here . Malaysiakini plans to sell 1,000 bricks. There are still about 200 left.