Former Bersih chief Ambiga Sreenevasan will be speaking on her three-year experience in leading the groundbreaking election reform movement at a dinner forum next Wednesday.

Titled ‘Lessons from Bersih', the dinner is a fund raiser for Malaysiakini's new building - @KINI.

Ambiga, who has received international awards such as the International Women of Courage Award from United States in 2009 and the Knight of the Legion of Honour from France in 2011 for her contribution on human rights, said her attendance at the dinner was to lend support to independent media.

" Malaysiakini is a pioneer in online journalism and it has not just been a source of information previously unavailable to the people of Malaysia, it has also stood as a shining example of fearless and independent journalism.

"In my view, it has helped in re-establishing our faith in the media - a critical building block in a democracy. It deserves to have a building of its own which will serve as a hallowed ground for the promotion of freedom of speech and information," she said.

Above all, Malaysiakini has served the people in the best traditions of professional journalism, said Ambiga.

"Without them and other online media, the people of Malaysia could not have come this far in claiming back the democracy that we yearn for and that we rightfully deserve."

RM200,000 raised in one week

The dinner will be held at the Chili Rush restaurant at Jaya One, Petaling Jaya. Participants will contribute RM100 each towards the building. Those interested to join Ambiga at the dinner can email [email protected] to reserve a seat.

Malaysiakini is seeking to raise RM3 million by Jan 15 through its 'Buy a Brick' campaign.

Since the campaign kicked off last Friday, it has raised RM220,700 from 173 supporters. Each supporter will have their name embossed on a brick which will be used to build an ‘appreciation wall' in the new building.

In addition, supporters will receive Malaysiakini subscriptions and advertising equal to the amount contributed.

Malaysiakini's new building, called @KINI - located in Section 51, Petaling Jaya - will nearly double its existing office in Bangsar Utama. It will also provide space for public forums, training and exhibitions.

The new building will also house Malaysia's first live webcasting centre, allowing public events to be webcasted over the Internet, giving viewers at home the opportunity to interact in forums.

According to Malaysiakini project manager Lynn D'Cruz, the response to Malaysiakini's ‘Buy a Brick' campaign has been overwhelming.

"When we started this, little did I realise that Malaysiakini has such a tremendous following. Some people even made the effort to come to the office and offer help, not only in cash but in kind," she said.

"The support over the past six days has surpassed our expectation. We have another 54 days to raise the targeted amount, and we would like to thank those Malaysiakinians who have, among others, stamped their names on the brick."

To buy a brick, please visit building.malaysiakini.com .

‘Dinner with Ambiga' Facebook page