It’s the end of the year, and Malaysiakini again lets its readers decide what they think are the most important news stories of 2015.

A total of 1,140 readers participated in the seven-day survey, opened only to paying subscribers.

They voted by scoring on each of the 18 news items selected by Malaysiakini from 1 (lowest interest) to 10 (highest).

Not surprisingly, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s RM2.6 billion ‘donation’ scandal is the top news of the year.

Interestingly, No 2 and No 3 on the list are news on the country’s troubled economy – the drop of the ringgit, and the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) (and the subsequent spike in cost of living), respectively.

News on price hikes ranked No 2 last year and No 1 in 2013, indicating that this issue has become a perennial concern among many Malaysians.

The other items on the list include Najib’s ‘coup’ against his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin and attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail, and the Bersih 4 as well as the Sept 16 red shirt rallies.

Here they are - Malaysiakini readers' choice of the top 10 headline-grabbers.

1. RM2.6 billion ‘donation’ and SRC’s RM42 million in PM’s bank account

- 9,441 votes

2. Ringgit drops to 17-year low

- 8,356

3. GST implemented, spike in cost of living

- 8,286

4. Najib’s ‘coup’ against Muhyiddin Yassin and A Gani Patail

- 8,229

5. Bersih 4 and Sept 16 rallies

- 8,153

6. Raid on MACC, attempted transfer of 1MDB/SRC investigators

- 8,105

7. Anwar goes to jail, for the second time

- 7,618

8. Killing of Kevin Morais, feuding brothers and the mystery pen drive

- 7,434

9. National Security Council Act and Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota)

- 7,324

10. Mara property scandal in Australia

- 6,954

The also-rans

Eight of the 18 news items failed to make the cut and were relegated by Malaysiakini subscribers to the also-ran category.

They are:

11. Fracas in Low Yat Plaza

- 6,499

12. The split in PAS and the rise of Amanah

- 6,204

13. Sabah earthquake, 18 dead in Mount Kinabalu

- 6,017

14. The ‘death’ of Pakatan Rakyat

- 5,947

15. The haze is back, this time longer than usual

- 5,786

16. Allah appeal thrown out, protest against cross in Taman Medan church

- 5,459

17. 7 Orang Asli kids missing, 5 found dead

- 4,691

18. G Palanivel ousted in MIC

- 3,105

Tomorrow: The newsmaker of 2015