newsmaker n. One whose actions consistently make news headlines, who effects the course of public discourse and creates an impact in Malaysian politics, for better or worse.

Another year draws to an end and the time has come, in accordance with tradition, to present the Malaysiakini Newsmaker of the Year award. It has been an eventful 2005 for the nation and to decide on a champion among champions was no mean feat.

After hours of hair-splitting debate and countless cups of coffee, the judges comprising the editorial team agreed that the ‘Approved Permits Chronicles’ had been the greatest crowd puller. However, it was almost upstaged by the low budget X-rated thriller ‘Nude Squats’ - the maiden venture of PJ Police Productions, done in collaboration with DAP...