Our Story

Pusat KOMAS is a non-governmental human rights organisation set up in August 1993 that advocates for democracy and non-discrimination. Specifically, we advocate against racism and racial discrimination in Malaysia, and support the advocacy of the rights of the Peninsular Malaysia indigenous peoples (Orang Asli).

KOMASHistory 1
Pusat KOMAS started off as a human rights popular communications centre to empower the marginalised communities, especially the urban poor, workers, indigenous peoples, and civil society organisations. We have conducted voter education workshops and produced voter and citizenship educational tools such as short videos, cartoon booklets, posters, flyers and other creative media tools for community and public education.
Orang asli
In 1995, we reached out to and partnered with a local community of indigenous peoples first known as Sinui Pai Nanek Sengit (New livelihoods, One Vision; SPNS), which later evolved into Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia (JKOASM), a network of indigenous villages in Peninsular Malaysia that advocates the issues of the Orang Asli and empowers the communities on their ancestral rights and basic human rights.
In 2003, Pusat KOMAS organised the first human rights film festival in Malaysia, which provided a much-needed platform for the Malaysian public to exchange views and explore actions towards human rights issues in Malaysia. The Freedom Film Festival (FFF) is now an annual human rights film festival consisting of a film competition, community screenings, and premier screenings in major locations throughout Malaysia. To date, these activities have reached about 10,000 people each year. In 2017, the film festival component of our organisation has grown into an entity of its own, the Freedom Film Network (FFN).
KOMASHistory FFF 1
In 2005, Pusat KOMAS started the Non-Discrimination programme, which consists of grassroot workshops on identifying racism, racial stereotypes, racial segregation, and its impact on communities. At the same time, we conducted workshops to train individuals to conduct workshops on their own. We also started working on a production of the Aku Bangsa Malaysia video series.
KOMASHistory 2
We initiated the Ratify ICERD campaign in 2009, where 8 civil society organisations came together to advocate for the ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) in Malaysia. In the same year, we also held our first National Conference to gather stakeholders and experts on racial discrimination.

Accolades

Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, The 3rd Civil Society Award, 2011

The Civil Society Award acknowledges individuals and organizations on their contributions to civil society, serves as an evaluation of civil society organizations as well as the performance of civil society at large, and encourages others to participate in civil society. 
KLSCAH Award Image
KLSCAH 3rd Civil Society Nominee Award Cert
EAEA Grundtvig Award 2008 Cert

European Association for the Education of Adults, Grundtvig Award, 2008

The European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) Grundtvig Award was launched in 2003 by EAEA in order to recognise and celebrate excellence in adult education.