Articles

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

Press Statement by ICERD-WG and BERSIH 2.0 on the Usage of Racial and Religious Politics in 14th General Election Campaign

We, the Working Group for the Ratification of InternationalConvention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD-WG)[1] and BERSIH 2.0, call upon leaders, candidates, members and supporters of all political parties to refrain and immediately stop the use of race and religion as a political tool in their campaign for the 14th General Election. As the 14th General Elections approaches, the ICERD-WG which is part of PEMANTAU have identified few politicians who have constantly...

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Refrain and Stop the use of Race and Religion as a Political Tool for 14 GE

We, the Working Group for the Ratification of International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD-WG)[1], call upon leaders, candidates, members and supporters of all political parties to refrain and immediately stop the use of race and religion as a political tool in their campaign for the 14th General Election. As the 14th General Elections approaches, there is an increasing number of members of political parties who have used race and religion as a...

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Press Statement: Code of Conduct for the Promotion of Equal Opportunities through the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

The Penang State Government will be introducing a “Code of Conduct for the Promotion of Equal Opportunities through the Elimination of Racial Discrimination” within state-owned and state-linked enterprises as well as the private sector after the 14th General Elections. The Penang State Government believes that the elimination of racial discrimination in the workplace is necessary in a Malaysia mudded by xenophobia, racial politics, religious extremism, and preferential treatment for specific...

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Delimitation proposed by Election Commission (EC) is Segregating Malaysians and Encourages Racial Politics

Pusat KOMAS is deeply disappointed and concerned over the delimitation proposal that was gazetted[1] earlier today. Looking at the report published by EC, the delimitation is found to be flawed and unfair as it contains elements of gerrymandering - the act of manipulating boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favour one side or party. Pusat KOMAS believes that the delimitation is an act of injustice towards the people's votes and it may have a long term effect in imperilling...

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The Proposal for the Abolishment of Scholarships for Ethnic Minority Students is a Betrayal to Malaysia’s Nation Building

Pusat KOMAS condemns the racist statement that was made during the “Konvensyen Kebangkitan Ummah” that was held last Saturday especially for the call of the abolishment of scholarships for students from the ethnic minority. Pusat KOMAS would like to stress that the call for the abolishment of scholarships for the ethnic minority students in Malaysia is an arrogant call that should not exist in an independent state which wishes to be a developed nation. Pusat KOMAS further believes that this...

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Ethnic-Based Political Parties are not Relevant in Malaysia

Pusat KOMAS is appalled by the views by certain quarters which stressed that ethic-based political parties are still relevant in this country. We would like to reiterate that ethic-based political parties are not and will not be relevant in the past, present or in the future. It is essential to note that the establishment of ethnic-based political parties are a manifestation of the divide and rule policy which was used by colonial administrators in the past to maintain power. It is therefore...

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Pusat KOMAS Objects the Statement made by Terengganu Police Chief

Pusat KOMAS is appalled by the recent statement issued by the Terengganu Police Chief Datuk Aidi Ismail who attributed the low crime rates in Terengganu to the state’s 97% Malay population when referring to the record of gangsterism in the state. Pusat KOMAS asserts that it is improper for any parties, the government or the general public, to attribute any forms of crimes to a particular ethnic group. Even though, the Terengganu’s police force success in combatting the issue of gangsterism in...

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Joint Statement by Civil Society (and individuals) on Book Banning, Thought Control and Academic Meddling

Joint Statement by Civil Society (and individuals) on Book Banning, Thought Control and Academic Meddling We, the undersigned civil society organisations and individuals, register our gravest concern and strongest objection to a series of crackdowns on intellectuals from September 25 to October 3. These include the arrest of Turkish writer Mustafa Akyol, the harassment and persecution of Akyol’s host, Dr Farouk Musa of Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF) and the banning of 22 books, including...

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To Our Bangsa Malaysia: Selamat Hari Malaysia

Today, the Federation of Malaysia celebrates its 54th birthday of the enjoining together of 3 nations. This day marks the union of Malaya, North Borneo and Sarawak which prides itself as a nation called Malaysia. It is on this auspicious day that Malaysians from different cultures and traditions come together to form our own “Malaysian” identity. This special day must be treasured to highlight the struggle of Malaysia moving away from the history of colonization and racism to become a nation...

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