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

More attention and action needed on human right

Oct 28, 2013

Press release: The Coalition of Malaysian NGOs for the UPR Process (COMANGO), Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS) and the Bar Council through its Human Rights Committee concur with Dato’ Ho May Yong, Deputy Secretary-General, Multilateral Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and head of the government delegation to the Universal Periodic Review of Malaysia: much more attention and action is needed on human rights in Malaysia. At the 2nd Universal Periodic Review of Malaysia, which was...

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Stop ethnic and religious fanaticism in Malaysia!

Oct 22, 2013

It is indeed very troubling to note several very upsetting incidents touching on ethnic and religious issues that happened in Malaysia over the past few weeks. The controversial court verdict on the using of the word “Allah” by Non- Muslims is one. Another is the slaughtering of cows in public schools. While we react and jump at these issues, these issues are mere symptoms of the larger issue at stake here which is the systemic politicization of race and religion for vested interests by...

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DROP THE CHARGES AGAINST MALAYSIAN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER LENA HENDRY NO TO PRE-CENSORSHIP OR PRIOR APPROVAL FOR USAGE OF FILM/VIDEOS

Oct 4, 2013

We, the 112 undersigned civil society groups, trade unions and organizations are shocked that the Malaysian government, after the recent General Election has resorted to charging human rights defender Lena Hendry on 19 September 2013 for being involved in the screening of a documentary "No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka" at a human rights event in Kuala Lumpur on 9 July 2013. Lena Hendry was charged for an offence under the Film Censorship Act 2002, in connection with the screening...

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KOMAS Staff charged for “No Fire Zone Screening”

Sep 18, 2013

PRESS STATEMENT For immediate release September 18, 2013 KOMAS Staff charged for “No Fire Zone Screening” Lena Hendry, one of the three people arrested in conjunction with the screening of “No Fire Zone” was asked to present herself in KL Magistrate Court on the September 19, 2013 to be charged. On July 3, 2013, KOMAS program officer Ms Lena Hendry, Executive Director Mr Arul Prakkash and one of the Board of Directors Ms Anna Har were arrested during the screening of the film “No Fire Zone,...

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3rd National Conference: Malaysia on the path to Non-Discrimination – Is Equality for All?

Aug 27, 2013

The Third National Conference: Malaysia on the Path to Non-Discrimination, Is Equality for All was well attended by 90 delegates from all sectors – the public service, civil society, the academia and political leaders. Keynote Address UN Independent Expert on Minority Issues, Ms Rita Izsak, set the stage at the beginning of the conference by pointing to the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, which was adopted unanimously...

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KOMAS Human Rights Activist waiting to be Charged

Aug 5, 2013

Malaysian Government and KDN are still uncertain whether to charge the 3 KOMAS human rights activist Ms Anna Har (KOMAS Board of Director), Mr Arul Prakkash (Executive Director) and Ms Lena Hendry (KOMAS Programme officer).They were arrested on 3rd July 2013 during the screening of the film “No Fire Zone, the Killing Fields of Sri Lanka”. The film screening was raided by KDN, Police and Immigration department. They were questioned for more than 3 hours on the night of 4th July 2013 and...

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3rd National Conference: Malaysia on the Path to Non Discrimination

Jul 30, 2013

We are pleased to announce the “3rd National Conference: Malaysia on the Path to Non Discrimination, Is Equality for All? “ as a follow up from the last 2 years. Similar to the previous conferences, this national conference will bring together people from different sectors including the government agencies to discuss and critically analyze different issues on non-discrimination. This year, KOMAS together with Institute of Ethnic Studies, University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM-KITA) is organizing...

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KOMAS Director records statement in KDN Film Censorship Unit

Jul 22, 2013

PRESS STATEMENT July 22, 2013 KOMAS Director records statement in KDN Film Censorship Unit about Sri Lanka Documentary “No Fire Zone” This morning at about 10:30 am KOMAS Director Tan Jo Hann who was served notice by the KDN (Home Ministry) Film Censorship Control & Enforcement Division presented himself together with KOMAS legal counsel New Sin Yew and KOMAS staff with other NGO representatives at the premises to record his statement. The session was video taped and conducted by...

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“20 years with the People” KOMAS celebrates 20 years of Activism in fund raising dinner

Jul 19, 2013

14 July, 2013 Civic Centre, MBPJ KOMAS’ 20th anniversary fund raising dinner was a reunion of senior human rights advocates as well as a gathering of young activists in Malaysia. The “star-studded” event was participated by many Guest-of-Honour and VIPs including Speaker of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly, YB Hannah Yeoh Tseow Suan; National Laureate Dato A. Samad, fondly known as Pak Samad, Lembah Pantai Member of Parliament Nurul Izzah, and Bersih Chairperson Dato Ambiga Sreenevasan....

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Malaysian Government and KDN continues harassment on Human Rights NGO KOMAS

Jul 17, 2013

Press Statement July 17, 2013 Malaysian Government and KDN continues harassment on Human Rights NGO KOMAS for screening of “No Fire Zone,the Killing Fields of Sri Lanka” On July 16, 2013, late afternoon KOMAS Director Tan Jo Hann received a fax notice from the Kementerian Dalam Negeri (Home Ministry) Bahagian Kawalan dan Penapisan Filem dan Penguatkuasaan Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur requiring him to be present at their office to record his statement on the above mentioned issue. Earlier...

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