Malaysiakini is probably the country's most influential political journal, said IT business news website MSCTimes.com in its lead article this week.

The article, which appeared in the "Net Focus" section, added that " malaysiakini has got local news hounds abuzz with its fiercely independent approach to news coverage."

MSCTimes was relaunched yesterday with a new look and an innovative presentation of news stories and columns. It seeks to position itself as the leading authority on developments in the local IT scene.

"The focus is on the business of technology rather than technology per se," said editor Oon Yeoh.

He added that the website's emphasis will be on the people and companies that are making a difference.

"Despite its official-sounding name, MSCTimes is not affiliated to the Multimedia Development Corporation nor is it a quasi-governmental organisation. It totally independent," Oon said.

MSCTimes is staffed by a team of professional journalists.

Oon comes from an international journalism background, while deputy editor Mary Anne Tan is a veteran journalist with over 20 years of experience in news reporting. Both believe strongly in freedom of the press.

MSCTimes.com has a content sharing arrangement with Malaysiakini.com