Articles

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

Malaysia’s Alarming Trek Towards Cultural Intolerance

Jun 29, 2015

Pusat KOMAS is increasingly alarmed and concerned about the growing trend of cultural intolerance in Malaysia today. The recently reported incidents are clear indicators of how Malaysia has regressed in terms being a mature and tolerant multi-cultural society. Furthermore it raises many crucial issues on cultural diversity, tolerance and the will and effectiveness of the authorities in addressing these issues. For instance in the incident of the individuals who were refused entry for not...

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FORUM: Freedom of Religions in Malaysia : We Live in Peace and Harmony

Jan 10, 2014

  Dear All,   Please do come and join us for this forum jointly co-organized by Pusat KOMAS, Community Action Network (CAN) and Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)   Please pass the word out and invite friends to join in.   Forum  “Freedom of Religions in Malaysia : We Live in Peace and Harmony”   Speakers :   1.        YB Khalid Abdul Samad (PAS MP for Shah Alam) 2.        Dr. Ahmad Farouk Musa ( Islamic Renaissance Front) 3.        Rev Hermen Shastri (Council of Churches Malaysia) 4.      ...

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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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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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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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Reject “Racial Politics”

May 9, 2013

Pusat KOMAS and Ratify ICERD working group is greatly troubled by the statement of analysis the GE-13 is based on ethnic lines. We believe that an election loss or won is caused by a combination of factor, namely on the performance of incumbants, parties as well as promises made. We denounce the statement of Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohamad, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam for calling it a “Chinese Tsunami”. It is the people's tsunami. The current elections showed the...

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Malaysia is ready to say “No to Racism”

Mar 21, 2013

As we commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21st March 2013, we reflect on our nation’s history since independence. We ask how much have we moved forward in building one nation? Has Malaysia become a more integrated society? Do we live in mutual respect of all ethnicities in a spirit of unity and tolerance while cultivating multiculturalism? We celebrate the nation as it moves into a developed-country status boasting of good infrastructure in place....

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MAKING A STAND AGAINST RACISM THROUGH ICERD

Mar 19, 2013

Every year the United Nations sets aside March 21 as the day to celebrate inter-racial and ethnic diversity and to combat racism. It is a day to make a stand for the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination in our society and the world we live in. In many parts of world ethnic tensions and conflicts continue to exist. In all societies there is some element of prejudice and indifference among the different peoples of the world. However we cannot be complacent about these but must...

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PUSAT KOMAS, IRF, PROJEK DIALOG AND CERD WORKING GROUP DECLARATION ON NATIONAL SOLIDARITY: “SAY NO TO RACISM!”

Mar 4, 2013

KOMAS, IRF and PROJEK DIALOG together with other civil society organizations have initiated a campaign to advocate the Malaysian government to ratify the INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION (ICERD) The ICERD is a United Nation (UN) convention which commits its states to the elimination of racial discrimination and the promotion of equality and unity among all races.  This convention defines racial discrimination and requires the states to create...

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