KOMAS WINS HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD!

Lena Hendry, KOMAS coordinator for Non-discrimination programme received the award on behalf of KOMAS.

Pusat KOMAS received the Civil Society Award organized by the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall. Tonight's event of the annual human rights award presentation was the 3rd year the ceremony has been organized to acknowledge individuals and organizations’ contributions towards the promotion of democratic spaces to civil society. 

This award also serves as a recognition and evaluation of the overall performance of civil society organizations and especially their role in moving our society to become more progressive and proactive in public affairs.This year the three winners of the award are PUSAT KOMAS, BERSIH 2.0 and Save Malaysia, STOP Lynas Committee (SMSL, Kuantan).

One of the judges Azmi Sharom, an associate professor at the law faculty in the University of Malaya described KOMAS as having contributed to the cause of human rights through the Freedom Film Festival and have spread the message to thousands of people through the use of social films and film making.

This, he added was a “creative combination of art and human rights in spreading the message”. He also said that KOMAS has helped to create a better future by working with the youth of today.

Recipients of the awards were selected based on the below criteria:

• Playing an important role in defending freedom of political participation and fighting for greater space for social freedom and democracy;
• Actively promoting the cooperation of civil groups from different background and areas;Initiating and pioneering social reforms;
• Promoting communications and interactions among different ethnic groups.

Other judges were P. Ramakrishnan (Aliran President), Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (GMI President), Che Shamsudin Othman (President of Seniman Paksi Rakyat M’sia, PAKSI), Hishammudin Rais (Veteran Writer, Art Worker), Yong Yew Wei (KLSCAH Secretary General) and Yong Kai Ping (Malaysiakini Chinese Editor).