Articles

Pusat KOMAS contemplates and writes about the situation of race, ethnicity, interracial relations etc. in Malaysia.

Heartfelt Condolences to the Family of Muhammad Adib

Pusat KOMAS regrets the passing of the firefighter Muhammad Adib Kassim. We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Muhammad Adib. The passing of Muhammad Adib is a great loss for all Malaysians. The incident that had taken place around the Seafield temple should not have happened in the first place. Any form of violence should never be condoned and the law shall apply to all perpetrators of violence involved in the incidents linked to the temple issue. In the wake of...

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Not Ratifying ICERD A Step Backwards for New Malaysia

We, the undersigned civil society organizations, are disappointed by the escalation of the ICERD reactions that have led to Pakatan Harapan’s announcement to call off the accession to the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). Pakatan Harapan’s mismanagement of the issue and the lack of a unified front to counter the myths and misconceptions made by the opposers of ICERD have led to the rise and the escalation of the issue. The announcement...

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Let’s Eliminate Racial Discrimination in all its Forms

Pusat KOMAS is appalled by the racist attacks made by the opposition MPs against the Minister of National Unity and Social Well-Being P.Waytha Moorthy who was wrapping up the 2019 Budget debate earlier today. Malaysia is a nation which is built on the notion of inclusiveness. The call to sign and ratify the ICERD is in line with the notion and the Pakatan Harapan manifesto which states that “all citizens of any country aspire for an inclusive, harmonious, progressive, prosperous, just and...

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Malaysia is Convinced that ICERD is Ready to be Ratified

Pusat KOMAS welcomes the remarks by the Minister of National Unity and Social Wellbeing, YB Senator Waytha Moorthy, that “The Government is committed to ratify six treaties including the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) in the first quarter of next year” at the 8th National Conference on Non-Discrimination: Malaysia Closer Towards ICERD Ratification that concluded this week in Petaling Jaya. The 8th National Conference on...

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We Are Ready to Ratify ICERD : CSO Informs New Government

Kuala Lumpur, 18 October - A stakeholder meeting was held yesterday with Senator P. Waytha Moorthy, Minister of National Unity and Social Wellbeing, to discuss the upcoming move to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). This is the first time a minister of National Harmony has met with Civil Society Organizations in a very detailed discussion on ICERD. Attendees commended the Minister for the willingness to meet to discuss ICERD as...

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8th National Conference on Non-Discrimination: “Malaysia Closer towards ICERD Ratification”

We are pleased to announce the "8th National Conference on Non-Discrimination: “Malaysia Closer towards ICERD Ratification". This conference is the 8th in a series of conference organized by Pusat KOMAS since 2011 as part of our campaign on non-discrimination and addressing racism in Malaysia.   Over the years, the conference has engaged with several prominent personalities in their field of non-discrimination such as Dr Mutuma Ruteere, the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of...

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Consultation for the Proposed Commission on National Harmony & Reconciliation and the legislation on Religious and Racial Hatred

Press Statement prepared by CSO Platform for Reforms: Harmony Cluster Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM) , Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia (Proham Human Rights), Pusat KOMAS, Sisters In Islam (SIS), MyPJ CONSULTATION WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS IS NEEDED ON THE PROPOSED COMMISSION ON NATIONAL HARMONY AND RECONCILIATION AND THE LEGISLATION ON RELIGIOUS AND RACIAL HATRED 27 July, 2018 We, the undersigned, note with interest the proposals by the Honorable Minister Datuk Mujahid Yusof Rawa to set up...

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Race and Religion is Not Relevant in the Appointment of the Position of Civil Servants

Pusat KOMAS is appalled by the efforts by certain parties which deliberately slow down the process of institutional reforms in the country. These parties have been raising the issue of race and religion in the appointment of civil servants. It is essential to note that the process of institutional reforms looks seriously on the reformation of key institutions in the nation such as the financial institutions, judiciary, executives, legislators and general administration. The reform process does...

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Malaysia: Civil society calls on new government to reform laws restricting freedom of expression and access to information

Following the Malaysian people’s decision to vote for change in general elections held on 9 May, we the undersigned civil society organisations call on the incoming government to honor the mandate it has been given by implementing a comprehensive program of reform and strengthening human rights protections in Malaysia. Over the decades of rule by the outgoing regime, authorities have frequently violated the right to freedom of opinion and expression and information, including by imposing legal...

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Congratulations Malaysians! Time To Put An End To Racism!

Pusat KOMAS would like to congratulate all Malaysians, particularly the 12,299,514 million voters who have endured and overcome all the challenges faced during the 14th General Elections to come out and cast their vote. Despite the numerous attempts to tarnish the integrity and the fair process of the elections, Malaysians of various ethnicities and religious belief have managed to unite and triumph against all adversities to choose and select a new government. Pusat KOMAS would like to also...

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