It’s the end of the year, and Malaysiakini again lets its readers decide what they think are the most important news stories of 2015.
A total of 1,140 readers participated in the seven-day survey, opened only to paying subscribers.
They voted by scoring on each of the 18 news items selected by Malaysiakini from 1 (lowest interest) to 10 (highest).
Not surprisingly, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s RM2.6 billion ‘donation’ scandal is the top news of the year.
Interestingly, No 2 and No 3 on the list are news on the country’s troubled economy – the drop of the ringgit, and the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) (and the subsequent spike in cost of living), respectively.
News on price hikes ranked No 2 last year and No 1 in 2013, indicating that this issue has become a perennial concern among many Malaysians.
The other items on the list include Najib’s ‘coup’ against his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin and attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail, and the Bersih 4 as well as the Sept 16 red shirt rallies.
Here they are - Malaysiakini readers' choice of the top 10 headline-grabbers.
1. RM2.6 billion ‘donation’ and SRC’s RM42 million in PM’s bank account
- 9,441 votes
2. Ringgit drops to 17-year low
- 8,356
3. GST implemented, spike in cost of living
- 8,286
4. Najib’s ‘coup’ against Muhyiddin Yassin and A Gani Patail
- 8,229
5. Bersih 4 and Sept 16 rallies
- 8,153
6. Raid on MACC, attempted transfer of 1MDB/SRC investigators
- 8,105
7. Anwar goes to jail, for the second time
- 7,618
8. Killing of Kevin Morais, feuding brothers and the mystery pen drive
- 7,434
9. National Security Council Act and Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota)
- 7,324
10. Mara property scandal in Australia
- 6,954
The also-rans
Eight of the 18 news items failed to make the cut and were relegated by Malaysiakini subscribers to the also-ran category.
They are:
11. Fracas in Low Yat Plaza
- 6,499
12. The split in PAS and the rise of Amanah
- 6,204
13. Sabah earthquake, 18 dead in Mount Kinabalu
- 6,017
14. The ‘death’ of Pakatan Rakyat
- 5,947
15. The haze is back, this time longer than usual
- 5,786
16. Allah appeal thrown out, protest against cross in Taman Medan church
- 5,459
17. 7 Orang Asli kids missing, 5 found dead
- 4,691
18. G Palanivel ousted in MIC
- 3,105
Tomorrow: The newsmaker of 2015
