Interview with Rocky Bru

(Ahirudin Attan) Prominent Blogger (Rocky's Bru),Editor of The Malay Mail, President of the National Press Club and President of the National Alliance of Bloggers

Biography:

Ahirudin bin Attan, also known as Rocky Bru, is a Malaysian blogger, journalist, and editor. He has served as editor of several New Straits Times Press (NSTP) publications, including the Business Times, The Malay Mail and The Sunday Mail. Rocky's journalistic career began with the Business Times in 1985, after graduating from Institut Teknologi MARA (now Universiti Teknologi MARA). He later served as the group's London correspondent and furthered his studies in the UK taking up a course in Advanced Journalism. Ahirudin was appointed Editor of the Business Times in 1997. In 2001 he was appointed Acting Editor of The Malay Mail and then further reappointed as the Executive Editor of both the Malay Mail and Sunday Mail in 2004.

In February 2006, Ahirudin resigned from his editorial position as the newspaper was revamped to cater to younger readerships. After 21 years with the New Straits Times Press, Ahirudin cut his ties in May of that year, amid speculation that included a "run-in with the present head honchos in the organisation."

In May 2006, Ahirudin started his blog Rocky's Bru, focusing on journalism, mass media and politics. Rocky's Bru was blocked from NSTP offices and branches nationwide shortly after the blog began. The group launched a lawsuit against him and fellow blogger Jeff Ooi in January, 2007, for libel. The suit is still in progress as of July 2010.

In 2007, Ahirudin was appointed the President of the National Bloggers Alliance, a newly formed group aimed at protecting the rights of Malaysian bloggers and promoting responsible blogging. He was also the President of the National Press Club from 2003 to 2007, and remained as its adviser until March 2009. He once again holds the presidency of the National Press Club.

In 2009 Ahirudin again took up the position of editor of The Malay Mail but maintains his blog as Rocky Bru.

This video is still in post-production. The final version of this video will be uploaded to YouTube and made available through this website.