Pusat KOMAS applauds the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government for propounding the National Unity Action Plan (NUAP) (Blueprint) 2021-2030. It is unequivocally a step forward to promote unity at this juncture, yet some poignant reservations from the past must be weighed...
The lapsing of Myanmar’s direct military rule in 2011 after 26 years of tyranny heralded a new, positive political phase for the peoples of Myanmar. Through democratic consciousness transcending courage and extraordinary struggles, the peoples of Myanmar laboured to...
Background Pusat KOMAS launched its 10th National Conference: ‘Racism Sparks Extremism?’ on 14th January 2021 from 1530 hrs to 1800 hrs (MYT time). The conference aimed to scrutinise the current status of social cohesion and national harmony of multiracial Malaysia;...
(Bangkok) – Malaysian authorities should immediately drop charges under the Film Censorship Act against rights activist Lena Hendry, Human Rights Watch and 11 Malaysian and international human rights organizations said today in letters to Malaysia’s prime minister and attorney general. Hendry’s case is slated to go to trial on December 14, 2015. The Malaysian government should also end censorship of films by repealing provisions of the law that allow unnecessary and arbitrary government...
"A PEOPLE-CENTERED ASEAN COMMUNITY: MAKING IT HAPPEN” ACSC/APF 2015 CONFERENCE OUTCOME STATEMENT 17 – 19 November 2015, Kuala Lumpur 1. While the focus in the region is on the upcoming 27th ASEAN Summit between the ASEAN heads of states and the global dialogue partners, representatives from ASEAN civil society have gathered again at the ACSC/APF 2015 Conference, titled “A People-Centered ASEAN Community: Making it Happen”, from 17 – 19 November 2015, to collectively deliberate and assess the...
Handed over by the Abolish the Sedition Act Movement (GHAH) to the Attorney-General’s Chambers on 25th of November 2015 at the Attorney-General’s Chambers, No. 45, Persiaran Perdana, Presint 4, 62100 Putrajaya. Over the past months, there has been an alarming increase in investigations and prosecutions under the Sedition Act 1948, whose targets have included elected representatives and human rights activists who have a public duty to speak on matters of public interest. Since 27th of July...
Lena Hendry's Trial dates have been set on the 14th - 15th of December and 6th - 8th of January.
“Saying No to Racial Politics” was the theme of Pusat KOMAS’ National Conference on Non-Discrimination held in Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar on the 29th October 2015. The conference was well attended by 100 delegates from all sectors – the public service, civil society, the academics and political leaders. Among the speakers of this year’s National Conference were fellow activists and political leaders from South Africa, Singapore and Indonesia. The National Conference started off with a...
We are pleased to announce the "5th National Conference: Saying No to Racial Politics" as a follow up from the last 4 years. Similar to the previous conferences, the conference will bring together people from different sectors including the civil servants to discuss and critically analyze different issues on non-discrimination. This year, KOMAS together with Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA), University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and the National Integration Research and Training...
14 September 2015 - the Federal Court of Malaysia dismissed the constitutional challenge on Section 6(1)(b) of the Film Censorship Act 2002. The question posed to the Federal Court was: “Whether section 6(1)(b) of the Film Censorship Act 2002 read together with section 6(2)(a) violates Article 10 read together with Article 8(1) of the Federal Constitution and therefore should be struck down and void for unconstitutionality.” The Federal Court answered the question in the negative and ordered...
“Unseen, Untold, Unheard” was the theme of PUSAT KOMAS' FreedomFilmFestival 2015 held in PJ Live Arts, Petaling Jaya, Selangor from Sept 11th - 2oth, 2015. Over 2,000 people participated in the film screenings, master classes, video activism workshop and award ceremony. Among the participants of this year's festival were filmmakers, festival organizers, partners and fellow activists from Southeast Asia countries namely Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, Myanmar, Philippines and Thailand. ...
September 16 1963, marks the establishment of the Federation of Malaysia with the joining together of 4 nations. Today we mark the union of Malaya, North Borneo and Sarawak with pride as one nation. It is on this special day that we embrace the different cultures and traditions which foster the true spirit of “Muhibbah” amongst the citizens of Malaysia. This new nation formed 52 years ago has grown and its citizens have matured with it into an empowered community. Syabas to all Malaysians....
Pusat KOMAS would like to congratulate its director Jerald Joseph for receiving the Human Rights Award from National Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) in the individual category, The Individual Awards are presented to an individual who has demonstrated significant achievements in serving the cause of human rights in the community on a pro-bono basis.