中文
BMKLSCAH received 10 nominations, including Jaringan Rawang Tolak Insinerator (JRTI), Malaysian Deaf Advocacy and Wellbeing Organisation (DAWN), Kachin Refugee Learning Centre, the sister of the late Teoh Beng Hock, Teoh Lee Lan, Beyond Borders Malaysia Founder Mahi Ramakrishnan, Borneo Komrad, Kadazandusun Language Foundation (KLF), PACOS Trust, SIUMAN Collective and Parti Sosialis Malaysia Chairperson Dr. Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj.
First Winner: Dr. Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj
Nominated by: Yap Heng Lung
Reason for award:
Dr Kumar has for decades been working quietly and tirelessly, whether it’s on the ground, on the streets (during the numerous protests he has attended and spoken at), and even in Parliament. (Ok, in Parliament he wasn’t working quietly, raising critical questions; his voice is surely missed in this Parliamentary sitting). He co-founded groups such as Kalvikkhuzu which provides education to poor pupils in Ipoh in the 1980s, and Alaigal, which champions workers issues in Sungai Siput. The issues he worked on include The Coalition Against Healthcare Privatisation, for Minimum Wage and its increase, against GST, FTA, ISA, CPTPP. In 2011, he was accused of trying to wage war against the King and revive Communism, and as a result, detained under the Emergence Ordinance and was put in solitary confinement. Dr Kumar is known for being a leader in Parti Sosialis Malaysia but he is much more than that. He is what a politician should be: A man of the people. A consistent voice for the marginalized and the poor. A humble and dedicated human being.
Second Winner: Borneo Komrad
Nominated by: Zikri Rahman
Reason for award:
Borneo Komrad brings together cultural workers and education activists. employs creativity in its multiple initiatives – using crafts, publication – books and silk screen printing, photography and video documentation – in its work together with the community. as a Borneo-based independent student organization but has has grown to include activists from Semenanjung. It is perhaps best known for Sekolah Alternatif, a network of alternative schools with the focus to eradicate illiteracy among the undocumented and stateless community in Sabah.
Borneo Komrad is a material example of “turun ke padang”. Its approach, ideas and social practice is centred around a deep meaningful engagement with the local community. It is among the few groups that work with the stateless, especially in an environment that is at times hostile to the community and the work that BK does in these locations. Their members have been arrested and the villages in which these communities live have been torched to the ground. The challenges faced by Borneo Komrad are still ongoing.
Third Winner: Deaf Advocacy and Wellbeing Organisation, Malaysia (DAWN)
Nominated by: by Chong Kar Yan
Reason for award:
DAWN has been advocating for Deaf persons, a group which like other disability advocacy groups, are maybe not as well-known as other rights-based organisations. It is powered by the dedication of Deaf individuals and does quiet work in providing advocacy, education and support to all Deaf and hard of hearing people. It campaigns for Malaysian compliance to a UN treaty which our country has signed for 16 years and ratified for 14. Most instrumental is DAWN’s support for the e-hailing driver who is deaf and mute and was assaulted while waiting in his vehicle. While that case has had its day in Court, we hope this award would give DAWN an extra boost in its fight for justice for Deaf individuals.