The people of Malaysia will once again decide the future of the nation in the upcoming 15th General Elections. We, the Harmony Cluster of the CSO Platform for Reform, urge all Malaysians to come out and vote to reject leaders who use the racial and religious rhetoric...
Racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia continue to affect societies worldwide. In Malaysia, Malaysians continue to suffer inequality and discrimination due to their race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin. The year 2021 has seen its fair share of...
The Melaka snap election was held in November 2021 due to the ongoing political crisis. As physical gatherings were restricted to curb the spread of COVID-19, political campaigns were conducted online. Pusat KOMAS collaborated with Zanroo Malaysia to monitor social...
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...
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...
PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 20 JUNE 2017 BUMIPUTERA FOR ALL MALAYSIANS Pusat KOMAS applauds the suggestions made by the Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak to study the inclusion of Indian-Muslims as bumiputeras. However, we believe that the study should not only be focused on Indian-Muslims but it should encompass Malaysians from different races to be in line with the values promoted in the 1 Malaysia concept introduced by the Prime Minister. Pusat KOMAS would like to...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Pusat KOMAS had launched the Malaysia Racial Discrimination Report 2016 on 21st March 2016. For a copy of the report please click here:
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...
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...