On 27 June 2009, we have successfully held our 1st bloggers and law forum in Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.

 The registration counter was set up early in the morning, ready for the challege of the day.

The forum attracted more than 60 participants, which Penangites say “is a good start” considering that this is our first event ever held in the island state now ruled by the Democratic Action Party-dominated Pakatan Rakyat alternative to the previous National Front coalition.
An interesting point to note was that most of the participants at the forum were rather matured and highly educated, including senior and retired lecturers in various disciplines.  

Our Master-of-Ceremony of the day, Ms Yieng San, began by briefing the participants on the agenda of the forum.

Then our Eddie Law was giving a welcoming speech to everyone and explained the services provide by eLawyer.

Ms Ooi Ph Yan, the sale and marketing manager of Exa Bytes Network Sdn Bhd, one of the sponsors, then briefed the audience on her company and its latest products offered by Exa Bytes.
She told us that Exa Bytes was established in 2001 and is currently hosting more than 40,000 domain names. This has made the company the largest hosting company in Malaysia.

The company has more than 50 employees.  
Exabytes has set a noble goal of giving out 1,000 FREE hosting to charity organisations and non profit organisations. As such, if you are from either one of the above, you may contact them at admin@exabytes.com.my

Below are the power point slides presented by Ms Ooi

Mr Foong Cheng Leong, a Kuala Lumpur-based lawyer-cum-blogger was one of the speakers, who spoke on blogging and copyrights law.  

Below are the Power Points slide presented by Cheng Leong at the forum

 Our another guest speaker was Mr Stephen Tan Ban Cheng, a journalist-turned-lawyer.
Stephen shared with the participants not only on the laws relating to defamation but also the principles of journalism as well as writing and reporting ethics as an online journalist. Stephen was one of those journalists who organised the First World Pres Convention that was held in Kuala Lumpur in 1985.

Mr Khairul Anuar bin Shaharudin our moderator who shared his view as a lawyer and blogger.

Ms Ooi Poh Yan, the sale and marketing manager of Exa Bytes Network Sdn Bhd receiving a token of appreciation from eLawyer.

A special thank goes to our exclusive sponsor, Exabytes (Mr Chan, Poh Yan & Sing Yee) who have rendered tremendous supports and assistance to us in organising this event.

 En. Abdul Fareed Gafoor, representing the Penang Bar, one of the supporting organisations of the forum, was given a token of appreciation from eLawyer after his address to the participants.

Ms Nushara, representing Universiti Sains Malaysia, another supporting organisation, also received a token of appreciation from eLawyer.

Here is a group photo of the VIPs at the function.

The most exciting moment during the forum was the question-and-answer session which saw the participants asking very relevant questions which the speakers fielded.

Paula, a sociology lecturer, set the vibrant and robust tone when she shot the first question to our speakers.

After the forum, many decided to stay back to network and speak to our speakers.

Group photo of the participants.

If you are not in there, please join us in our next trip to Penang. Blogging is a private iniiative that promises to shape and lead public opinion, even if the blogging focuses on eating out at the famous hawkers’ stalls of this tropical isle situated somewhere near Paradise.