Dear friends,

I'm not sure if you have heard about Merdeka Review in Malaysia. Their
staff are making a public appeal for funds to keep the site alive
beyond the end of this month. About RM60,000 (about US$20,000) a month
is needed.

Merdeka Review is one of the most important online news media in
Malaysia. With a very small budget, a group of progressive journalists
founded it in 2005 in response to Tiong Hiew King's (he owns about 90%
of Chinese newspaper in Malaysia) monopoly of the Chinese newspaper
industry. With the mission of independent journalism, it is very
critical of the ruling party and its allies in Malaysia. Most critics
agree that Merdeka Review and other online media such as Malaysiakini
are contributing so much to the democratic struggles against the
authoritarian rule. The opposition parties and civic organizations
have gained their strength, such as more seats in the parliament and
control of some local governments, since the election in 2008.

Over the past six years, Merdeka Review has been financially relying
on small business people's investment and individual donors. As far as
I know, their reporters are the least paid in the whole country.
Unfortunately, their key investor stops funding it recently. Merdeka
Review is running out of its financial resources and is about to close
down by the end of May.

To support them, you could ... ...

a. Suggest possible sponsors or funding agencies to them;
b. Write articles for Merdeka Review (email:
[log in to unmask]) or write in other media to support
Merdeka Review’s efforts to continue
c. Spread the word about Merdeka Review’s need for support
d. Donate money to Merdeka Review bank accounts
Hong Leong Bank
Account: Merdeka Review Sdn. Bhd. (No: 04001025891)
EON Bank
Account: Merdeka Review Sdn. Bhd. (No: 0595110002973)
Maybank
Account: Merdeka Review Sdn. Bhd. (No: 514440123099)

Thanks for your attention.

chong



-- 
http://www.chonghead.net

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http://interlocals.net/?q=blog/11