Milestones

Malaysiakini's accurate coverage of the 1999 general election drives up readership. It also breaks the news on judicial impropriety with links between a senior lawyer and the chief justice. In July, over 100,000 readers follow Malaysiakini reports on Anwar Ibrahim's court verdict where he is found guilty.

"People who love Malaysia will not support Malaysiakini," says Dr Mahathir Mohamad, as the government accuses Malaysiakini of being an agent of foreign interests due to the grants received from international organisations.

The initial paywall applies to opinions, columns and features. Following the poor response, Malaysiakini switches to news paywall with better results. Nevertheless, only 1,000 subscribers sign up in the first year. A decision is made to continue.

The police demand the identity of the writer of a letter and go on to seize 19 editorial computers as "evidence". CNN carries a story as the raid proceeds. Readers rally in solidarity, donate computers to help us get back to publishing. Dr Mahathir Mohamad reiterates that he will not censor the Internet. The police back down and return the computers a few days later. No charges against the portal.

Ruling coalition secures historic majority, gaining 50 new parliamentary seats. On election night, Malaysiakini is the first to announce BN has taken Terengganu, and clocks in close to 500,000 visits. In July, subscription rates increase by half after over two years. Malaysiakini's BM portal is launched in November.

Malaysiakini becomes the country's first trilingual news site, launching the Chinese language desk with four staff. The portal also sets up the Southeast Asia Centre for e-media (Seacem), a non-profit organisation. It aims to support civil society and make full use of the Internet to expand media freedom and human rights in the region. Seacem runs for 10 years, training over 1,000 people from 15 countries.

Malaysiakini TV is launched, covering news and producing documentary video content as YouTube booms globally. Video content will play a key role in capturing main events, triggering dramatic changes in 2008. It is rebranded as Kinitv in 2013.

Over 2,000 lawyers led by Malaysian Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan march in Putrajaya in the "Walk for Justice". Bersih rally follows, demanding free and fair elections. The Padang Jawa temple is demolished, triggering a massive Hindraf protest. Malaysiakini is one of the few independent media organisations providing critical coverage of the events.

Millions follow Malaysiakini as their source of election news in three languages. On election night, we flash the news as Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor fall to Pakatan Rakyat, with PAS holding on to Kelantan. BN loses its two-third majority. PM Abdullah Badawi later says underestimating the power of the new media was his "biggest mistake".

After losing the two-third majority, Umno asks Abdullah Badawi to step down. Najib Abdul Razak, the eldest son of second PM Abdul Razak Hussein, becomes Malaysia's sixth premier. He promises a more liberal and fair Malaysia for all with his "1Malaysia" slogan. Meanwhile, 10-year-old Malaysiakini overtakes the mainstream media as the most popular news site in the country. We link up with Semparuthi to offer Tamil news site MalaysiaIndru. We build CJ.MY to encourage Citizen Journalism nationwide.

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi rejects Malaysiakini's publishing application without reason. The news portal files legal action to declare the minister's action unlawful. At the Umno general assembly, Malaysiakini reporters are booted out.

Over 50,000 people attend the Bersih 2.0 rally and and continue with their demand for free and fair elections. Bersih gatherings are held in 32 cities around the world. Over 1,660 people are arrested in the country.

Malaysiakini defends against cyberattacks and brings the live account of the rally with videos and photos.

Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim quashes Home Ministry's 2010 decision not to grant a publishing permit to Mkini Dotcom, calling it "improper and irrational". The ruling is later upheld by the Court of Appeal.

Sensing a change in the political landscape, advertisers give their support. Malaysiakini's ad revenues top other sources for the first time.

Pakatan Rakyat wins the popular vote but is unable to win a majority in Parliament. The opposition claims widespread cheating. Malaysiakini subscription numbers reach a record high.

Malaysiakini moves into a new building in Petaling Jaya, helped by RM1.7 million in funds from supporters. Prior to moving, the portal's Bangsar office is splashed with red paint by unknown assailants. Meanwhile, Najib Abdul Razak and Umno sue Malaysiakini over "defamatory" comments by readers in Yoursay articles.

In the "Heist of the Century", Sarawak Report alleges billions stolen by Najib Abdul Razak with the help of businessperson Jho Low. Najib denies wrongdoing. The heads of key agencies form a joint task force to investigate. With days away from being charged, Najib sacks DPM Muhyiddin Yassin and Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail, curbs investigations by the anti-corruption commission. Police and MCMC raid Malaysiakini's office over its coverage of an internal transfer of MACC prosecutor involved in a corruption probe.

The newly appointed attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali clears Najib Abdul Razak of all wrongdoings. In March, long-standing political rivals, Lim Kit Siang and Dr Mahathir Mohamad, launch the "Save Malaysia" campaign. In September, Anwar Ibrahim and Mahathir shake hands, their first meeting since Anwar's ousting in 1998. Pakatan Harapan is launched. The US Department of Justice documents the embezzlement related to 1MDB. In November, hundreds in red shirts gather in front of Malaysiakini's office, demanding the site's closure. Harapan leaders join hundreds of thousands in Bersih 5.

For the first time, the government brings charges against Malaysiakini founders under the Communications and Multimedia Act. It is for refusing to withdraw a Kinitv video considered "offensive" to the attorney-general. Court acquits both in September 2018.

The nation is gripped in an all-or-nothing election campaign. Najib Abdul Razak drives on "cash is king" while Pakatan Harapan asks the people to throw out the BN regime for plundering the nation. On election night, the multimedia commission issues an order to block Malaysiakini. Overcoming the block and with the mainstream media subdued, Malaysiakini and Kinitv become the main source of results. At 2.28 in the morning, Malaysiakini announces that Harapan has won its 112th seat, forming a majority in Parliament - the first democratic change in Malaysia since independence. Minutes later, the mainstream media follow suit.

On Nov 20, Malaysiakini celebrates its 20th anniversary. The group consists of Malaysakini, Kinitv, FG Media, Kini Academy, Mkini Corporate Management, with over 120 full-time staff. We reach over 7.8 million users per month, 750,000 daily across four languages. According to the Reuters Institute, Malaysiakini is the country's top choice for online news for the third year in a row. Happy Anniversary Malaysiakini!