Editor's Note: Issue 2003:1

In the cover story, Anil Netto looks at the raid on Malaysiakini in the context of the current political climate and then goes on to discuss the importance of freedom of expression for a country like Malaysia. He also traces recent crackdowns on the media and suggests that they occur whenever more independent media have proven to successfully sway the voting patterns of segments of the electorate.

Accompanying the cover story are two statements on the Malaysiakini raid � the first by Aliran issued immediately after the event and the second, a joint statement by Hakam, Suaram and Aliran. Andrew Aeria then relates the raid to wider political and economic issues.

In the back cover story, AM interviews Toni Kasim, who, under the auspices of the Women's Candidacy Initiative contested the 1999 elections. She calls upon the Opposition to stop harping on unimportant divisive issues and to return to the important issues and principles contained in the Opposition's Joint Manifesto 1999.

An important feature by former union leader AH Ponniah discusses the recent MTUC leadership crisis. Ponniah reminds these leaders to focus on the rights and welfare of the workers and to stop indulging in private power-grabbing agreements.

Finally AM carries 6 pages of extracts concerned with the impending US-Iraqi war and a report on a forum held in Penang by the �Stop the War Coalition Malaysia.� The 56 NGOs and religions organisations involved in the coalition calls upon Malaysians to stand up for peace.

Together we can make a difference.