Articles

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

Unity amidst COVID – A call for Malaysia to test-negative for racism

Mar 21, 2020

21st March 2020 marks the 60th International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Born from the anti-Apartheid struggle, the spirit of non-discrimination emanated by the martyrs 60 years ago is stressing for the necessity of unity more than ever before. Grappling with the worldwide pandemic of Covid-19 has caused the entire human race to realise that our existence and sustainability would be made possible when our collective strength...

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Time for politicians to be disciplined for a better Malaysia

Jun 14, 2019

Pusat KOMAS applauds the Inspector-General of Police, Abdul Hamid Bador’s acknowledgment that the rise of racial and religious hatred in the nation today are caused by politicians who were playing the race and religious cards. For far too long, race and religion were used by politicians to “divide and rule” to win the support of the people. Even though the Pakatan Harapan government recognized the severity of the use of race and religion by political opponents to pit one race with the other,...

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Be Firm Pakatan Harapan

Apr 7, 2019

International Criminal Court (ICC), another international instrument hoped to be the final defensive line to the victims of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression was withdrawn from the accession of ratification by the very government who was deemed as the torchbearers of democratic reforms. We the undersigned civil society organisations are appalled with the U-turns of Pakatan Harapan (PH) led government who repetitively fail to maintain a strong position to...

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Roundtable discussion calls to address racism in governance and public policies

Apr 5, 2019

Pusat KOMAS in collaboration with SUHAKAM Sabah, Institute for Development Studies Sabah with the cooperation of Jabatan Perpaduan Negara dan Integrasi National Sabah, conducted a roundtable discussion in IDS Hall, Wisma Sedia, discussing the potential ways to incorporate International Standards on Non-discrimination for inclusive governance. "Based in Petaling Jaya, Pusat KOMAS is a 25 years-old Non-Governmental Organisation working closely on issues of Non-discrimination and Orang Asli...

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It’s economics, Azmin, not race or religion

Mar 8, 2019

The overtones of racial politics or racialised politics are becoming wild and vibrant as it goes under the rays of Malaysia Baru. The knee-jerk reaction of Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali after Pakatan Harapan's loss in Semenyih by-election, to propose for a strong Bumiputera agenda to be carried out by Harapan is perplexing to the hopes envisioned in and for Malaysia Baru. Pusat Komuniti Masyarakat (Komas) is appalled by Azmin’s racial rhetoric. Instead of promoting a new polity...

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Not Again! Racist Advertisements Must Stop!

Feb 20, 2019

The recent scholarship advertisement by Pantai Hospital Sungai Petani has drawn criticisms for its preference for people from specific ethnic groups. Pusat KOMAS would like to commend Pantai Hospital Sungai Petani’s swift actions to address the issue. We strongly believe that racial discrimination should not exist in a multi-ethnic nation like Malaysia. Pusat KOMAS believes that such incidences could be avoided if the government had shown its political will and commitment to overcome racism...

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Draft of Residential Tenancy Act a Fresh Impetus Towards the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Jan 30, 2019

Pusat KOMAS lauds the announcement by the Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin to draft the Residential Tenancy Act, which will address racial discrimination in the property market at the launch of the National Housing Policy 2018-2025 (DRN). The announcement of the drafting of the act is a first step towards the elimination of the growing racial discrimination in Malaysia today. Issues of racial discrimination in the property market is not new in Malaysia. In fact, Pusat...

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Heartfelt Condolences to the Family of Muhammad Adib

Dec 19, 2018

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

Nov 23, 2018

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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