Articles

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

SUARAM’s Press Statement – Release Odhikar Activists Immediately!

Jul 20, 2017

For Immediate Release 20 July 2017 Release Odhikar Activists Immediately! Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) condemns the detention of Adilur Rahman Khan, Secretary of Odhikar, a human rights NGO based in Bangladesh. Adilur was detained by Malaysian Immigration at KL International Airport at about 4AM, 20 July 2017. As of 10AM reasons for his detention is not given by the immigration and SUARAM was informed that he has been moved to immigration lock-up. SUARAM calls for his immediate release and...

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There is a Time and Place for Affirmative Action

Apr 21, 2017

Pusat KOMAS applauds Minister of Youth and Sports, Khairy Jamaluddin’s recent statement concerning the country’s affirmative action policies. Indeed, after 60 years of independence and 54 years since the formation of Malaysia, we have become proud and capable citizens who can stand on our own feet and efforts with our heads held high. Any further continuation of race based affirmative action policies would not only result in resentment from most communities, it would also be an insult and be...

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The Future of Cinema and Censorship in Malaysia

Apr 19, 2017

Invitation to the forum, "The Future of Cinema and Censorship in Malaysia" On 22 March 2017, Lena Hendry was convicted under Section 6(1)(b) of the Film Censorship Act, 2002 and subsequently sentenced to a fine of RM 10,000 for screening the documentary 'No Fire Zone: The killing fields of Sri Lanka' without censorship approval. It is learnt now that the Attorney General Chambers will appeal against this sentencing presumably to increase the sentencing. Lena can face up to three years' jail or...

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Press Statement for Immediate Release: Lena Hendry’s Conviction and Fined RM10,000 Unjust

Mar 23, 2017

Former Program Coordinator of Pusat KOMAS Lena Hendry was sentenced to pay a fine of RM 10,000 or spend a year in jail by the Magistrate’s Court in Kuala Lumpur for screening the Sri Lankan civil war documentary, “No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka” before submitting for approval by the Malaysian Censorship Board. Under Section 6 of the Malaysian Film Censorship Act 2002, it is considered an offense which carries a jail sentence of not more than 3 years and a fine not exceeding...

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Malaysia Racial Discrimination Report 2016 Launch

Mar 20, 2017

Launch of the "Malaysia Racial Discrimination Report 2016". The launch event will be in a forum panel method, where the esteemed speakers will be sharing their insights on the topic of “The Current State of Racial Discrimination in Malaysia”. Details: Date: 21st March 2017 (Tuesday) Time: 7.30 pm – 10.00 pm Venue: GB Gerakbudaya (No. 2, Jalan Bukit 11/2, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia) The speakers for the launch and forum are as below: Report Launch: Mr. Ryan Chua (Pusat KOMAS) Speakers...

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Press Statement: Free Lena Hendry – Victim of Unjust Censorship Law

Feb 27, 2017

Lena Hendry was found guilty on February 21 2017 by the Magistrate’s Court in Kuala Lumpur for screening “No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka”, a film on human rights violations during the civil war in Sri Lanka. Her sentencing will take place on March 22, 2017. Human rights defender and former PUSAT KOMAS program coordinator Lena Hendry was detained in July 3 2013 and 2 months later on 19 September, she was charged under Section 6 of Malaysia’s repressive Film Censorship Act 2002...

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How you can Support #DefendLena Campaign

Feb 26, 2017

You can play your part to support the #DefendLena Campaign by: International Friends of Lena Hendry Letter Writing Campaign Fax or send physical copies of the letter to the named recipients (or alternatively, the nearest Malaysian embassy). Share the letter on social media with a copy of the link You may prefer to put the letter as a link on your own website which can also be used on social media. The letter is also available at:...

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Decision on Lena Hendry’s Case

Feb 21, 2017

Human Rights Defender Lena Hendry has been found guilty by Tuan Mohd. Rehan Mohd. Aris at the Magistrate Court of the offence of the public screening of the film NO FIRE ZONE: THE KILLING FIELDS OF SRI LANKA, a human rights documentary film about war crimes committed during the civil war in Sri Lanka which have not been vetted by the Film Censorship Board. However, the sentencing has been deferred to 22 March 2017 pending written submissions.  

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Halt Orang Asli Harassment!

Jan 26, 2017

Pusat KOMAS stands in solidarity with the Orang Asli community in Gua Musang, Kelantan and the two journalists who were arrested in the latest crackdown by the Kelantan Forestry Department, and their illegal attempt to dismantle the blockade erected by the Orang Asli community. Pusat KOMAS would like to remind the Kelantan Forestry Department that the Court’s decision on 17th January 2017 in rejecting the logging company’s bid to log on the land owned by the Orang Asli clearly shows that the...

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For Unity, Enough Rhetorics, Take Action!

Jan 24, 2017

Pusat KOMAS applauds the Prime Minister Najib Razak’s and the Malaysian government’s call to make ‘unity’ a culture for all Malaysians in the ‘Moments of Unity’ event organized by the Malaysian National Unity and Integration Department (JPNIN) at the Perdana Botanical Gardens in Kuala Lumpur on the 21st January 2017 and to call for Malaysians to focus on efforts on instilling unity. As recognized by the Prime Minister himself, Malaysia is a multicultural nation and unity is essential and...

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