A taste of democracy from Malaysiakini

Congratulations to the Malaysiakini team on its 5th anniversary and a successful dinner on Saturday night. The crowd of over 1,000 supporters and well-wishers present is testament to the vital role played by the news portal in reporting “only the news that matters”.

Malaysiakini has also put the mainstream media on notice apart from opening the eyes of many Malaysians towards the injustice and human rights violations in Malaysian society. No longer can the mainstream media totally ignore or black out news of public importance without Malaysians knowing about it.

Through its courageous reporting, Malaysiakini acted as the watchdog of the public interest in the finest journalistic tradition. It has also given Malaysians a taste of democracy, through the varied and candid opinions expressed in its letters page.

It has been a labour of love, a light shining in the darkness.

Malaysiakini has done Malaysia proud!

Media monitors’ wish list:

· Articles critically examining the ethics of biotechnology, patenting of genetic resources, and the health and safety aspects of genetically modified food.
· Critiques on the current model of development we are pursuing which has led to wide gaps between the rich and the poor within Malaysia
· More voices from the marginalized communities and from rural areas – farmers, fisher-folk, rural communities, plantation workers, migrant workers, refugees, asylum seekers, Orang Asli – articulating their concerns.
· Articles focussing on the need for sustainable/public transport, fossil fuel conservation and resource renewal/recycling.