Malaysian Bloggers to set up Legal Fund to Protect Our Interests

A legal fund will be set up soon as a means to provide financial assistance for bloggers who face legal action such as the defamation suits taken by the New Straits Times Press (M) Sdn Bhd (NSTP) against bloggers Jeff Ooi and Ahirudin Attan.

Speaking at a press conference held by the Centre of Independent Journalism (CIJ) here, Ooi said the legal fund, an initiative by fellow bloggers, will be managed by those with a good reputation.

“The proceeds would not only be used to protect bloggers against suits but also to provide training workshops in the field of investigative journalism for bloggers – subject to the approval of the trustees.”

According to Ahirudin, possible trustees for the fund include the former Prime Minister’s daughter Marina Mahathir and former NSTP group editor-in-chief A. Kadir Jasin.

On Thursday, the court is to hear an inter-parte application for an injunction on Ahirudin, while Ooi’s inter-parte application hearing will be on Jan 30.

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