“I support the truth because the truth will set you free,” said Sabah PKR vice-president Dr Roland Chia.

And it is for this reason that the Inanam first-term assemblyperson has joined a long list of backers of Malaysiakini’s ‘Buy-a-Brick Campaign’ to raise funds for its own building.

“I support Malaysiakini because it is a truly independent news portal which exposes the wrongdoings of the authorities. By doing so, it is educating Malaysians on what it means to be truthful,” Chia said.

The portal has also been crucial in building awareness in the rural areas of Sabah, he said, through its Bahasa Malaysia version which is subscription-free.

Information can be shared with those in rural areas especially via social media, he noted.

“Inanam is 60 percent rural (but) ... I notice that the young people are all hooked on Facebook via their smartphones,” he said.

“ ... With the Malaysiakini Bahasa Malaysia version, they spread this information to their older family members.”

Launched on Nov 15 last year, the campaign has raised RM1.04 million from 574 supporters to date, including readers, politicians, political parties and corporations.

Malaysiakini requires RM6.1 million for the building. This will partly be financed through a loan, while a RM3 million target has been set for voluntary contributions by next month.

Named @Kini, the building is located in Section 51 in Petaling Jaya. Part of the premises will be available for use by the public.

Malaysiakini is offering corporate sponsorship packages of RM25,000 and RM50,000. In addition, donors will receive subscriptions and advertising equal to the amount contributed.