Civil society must fight back to counter extremism, says Suaram

A man lifts a board displaying ‘Hak Kepada Nyawa’, or ‘Human Rights’during Suara Rakyat Malaysia’s 25th anniversary yesterday at Petaling Jaya yesterday. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Faisal Salehhuddin, May 24, 2014.Civil society must up the ante to defend human rights while groups like Perkasa and Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) are promoting racial and religious extremism, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) executive director Yap Swee Seng said.

He said yesterday their action only benefited a group of elite at the expense of the majority.

"In such a scenario, we, (civil society), have no other option but to redouble our efforts in promoting and defending human rights to counter the divisive racial and religious politics."

Today, Malaysians were facing even more daunting challenges as racial and religious sentiments were politicised to entrench a divide-and-rule mentality, he said.

"Non-state actors like Perkasa and Isma are allowed a free hand to roam around and fan up extremist sentiments to the extent of inciting hatred and violence with impunity," he said in his speech at a fundraiser to commemorate Suaram's 25th anniversary in Petaling Jaya last night.

Dr Kua Kia Soong, the director of Suaram, delivers a speech at yesterday’s anniversary dinner. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Faisal Salehhuddin, May 24, 2014.He said in the last 25 years, Suaram could take credit for raising awareness among the people in fighting for human rights, justice and democracy.

Yap said the number of people joining civil movements was evident, particularly in demonstrations.

Thousands of people took to the streets to protest against oppression and injustice in three Bersih rallies, anti-Internal Security Act rallies, Himpunan Hijau protests, Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat, Black 505 rallies, Turun rallies and the recent anti-GST rally.

However, Yap said, as in any struggle, the path was not always straight and smooth as Putrajaya had reintroduced detention without trial in the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act and the Prevention of Crime Act.

Attendees donating cash at the dinner. Suaram executive director Yap Swee Seng said civil society must up the ante to defend human rights as groups like Perkasa and Isma are promoting racial and religious extremism. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Faisal Salehhuddin, May 24, 2014.He said many were arrested and charged with breaching the peace under the Peaceful Assembly Act for organising and participating in peaceful protests.

The number of people arrested and charged with sedition has also increased.

Suaram was born in the shadow of the now repealed ISA by several detainees of Ops Lalang and their supporters in 1989.

For the last 25 years, it has become a key human rights centre to which victims of state oppression turned for support and assistance.

Suaram has successfully campaigned for the abolishment the ISA and the Emergency Ordinance, which allows for indefinite detention without trial.

The annual licensing for print media was also done away and police power to approve or reject peaceful assembly was also removed and replaced with the Peaceful Assembly Act.

Students are now enjoying greater freedom following the amendments made to the Universities and University Colleges Act.

The abuse of remand orders in violation of personal liberty has also been curtailed and the National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) is a more independent and professional body now.

Suaram is the first human rights group to release its annual report on the state of human rights in Malaysia in the last 16 years.

PKR vice-president Tian Chua was among the many notable faces at the anniversary dinner yesterday. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Faisal Salehhuddin, May 24, 2014.Later speaking to The Malaysian Insider, Yap said one of the priorities of Suaram was to campaign for the reintroduction of local government elections.

“We want ratepayers to be given the third vote to elect councillors starts at the local government level.”

Yap said the people must identify themselves with their elected representatives and the councillors must be held accountable.

"The local authorities will also be more efficient and responsive to ratepayers."

Yap said Suaram was a member of the Coalition of Good Governance to push for local government polls and was confident the campaign would be successful.

At the event, Suaram also launched its annual human rights report on Malaysia.