Malaysiakini raises RM500,000 for fine within hours of appeal 

Raevathi Supramaniam Raevathi Supramaniam Updated 3 years ago · Published on 19 Feb 2021 5:00PM · 8 Comments

Malaysiakini tweets a ‘thank you’ to its supporters today, after its appeal for help to pay a RM500,000 fine was swiftly answered. – Screenshot, February 19, 2021.

MALAYSIAKINI’S appeal to the public for help to pay a RM500,000 fine was fully answered in mere hours today.

The appeal was published at 11.44am and about four hours later, the news portal announced it had surpassed the goal.

“We have collected over RM505,000 in the four hours since we launched our donation drive. Details on what we will do with the extra funds will be forthcoming. Thank you everyone, from all of us at Malaysiakini,” the news portal tweeted at 4.30pm.

As of 4.50pm, the contributions have reached RM528,524.

The fine was imposed this morning by the Federal Court after it found the portal guilty of contempt. The court also decided that the fine must be paid within three working days from today.

 

Meanwhile, the United States embassy in Malaysia issued a statement that the decision against the portal will have an impact on the freedom of press in Malaysia.

It said freedom of expression is fundamental for public discourse and the democratic principles that support accountability and good governance.

DAP’s Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang said the court decision was “shocking”.

The veteran lawmaker said Malaysians must fight for a more open, just and free society which upholds freedom of expression, accountability and transparency, the rule of law, efficient and effective governance, and ethics and public integrity in government affairs.

Last June, attorney-general Idrus Harun brought contempt charges against the portal over its readers’ comments on the website about the chief justice’s orders about court proceedings while the movement control order was in effect.

The apex court today delivered a 6-1 majority decision that may not be appealed. – February 19, 2021.

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Comments

  • Every single thing has become personal.

    Posted 3 years ago by Leanne Koo · Reply

  • MALAYSIA BOLEH !
    MALUSIA TAK BOLEH !

    Posted 3 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • Congrats, Mkini! Jia yiu!

    Posted 3 years ago by Jing Ling Tan · Reply

  • Say no to Oppression!

    Posted 3 years ago by Loyal Malaysian · Reply

  • The judges who decided today to fine Malaysiakini should now take heed on what the rakyat feels about their judgement. Its really quite clear the message that the rakyat want to send to the courts. We value our freedom of speech as enshrined in the constitution. The courts are not infallible and should be open to alternative opinions.

    Posted 3 years ago by Mike Mok · Reply

  • The judges who decided today to fine Malaysiakini should now take heed on what the rakyat feels about their judgement. Its really quite clear the message that the rakyat want to send to the courts. We value our freedom of speech as enshrined in the constitution. The courts are not infallible and should be open to alternative opinions.

    Posted 3 years ago by Mike Mok · Reply

  • Public always thinking JUSTICE WILL BE DELIVERED IN MSIAN COURTS the ultimate place where we get JUSTICE but but but it never happens in MALAYSIA. A street human is punished the rich n famous gets away with it. JUSTICE OF TODATE IN MSIA.

    Posted 3 years ago by Lucky Boy · Reply

  • TRUTH WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL NO MATTER HOW MUCH U HIDE IT OR SUPRESS IT.

    Posted 3 years ago by Lucky Boy · Reply