Malaysiakini and other pioneers of media freedom

Gregore Lopez, guest blogging at NM, writes "The online media had been at the forefront in providing news and views from diverse groups – especially those marginalised by the mainstream media." Pioneering online news groups profiled by Lopez include: Malaysiakini, The Nutgraph, The Malaysian Mirror, and The Malaysian Insider.

Why is all this happening first in Malaysia?  Why no Singaporekini?