Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n The promotion and strengthening of freedom and democracy depend on the growth of civil society. Civil society refers to the domain of associations between the state and the family. It is dominated by organizations that are independent from the state and it consists of social members who participate on a voluntary basis in order to defend their interests or values.<\/p>\n The independence of Malaya in 1957 is the result of the efforts of people from various backgrounds and civil groups, which demonstrated the spirit of political and social participation. From its inception to the flourishing growth, our civil society has long been promoting freedom and democracy.<\/p>\n The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) is formerly known as Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (SCAH). Formed in 1923, the KLSCAH has always been actively participating in social movement in order to defend the well-being and interests of the nation and country, with a view to promoting social progress as well. The KLSCAH has played an important role in fighting for citizenship, as well as in drafting and implementing the Manifesto of Chinese Organizations, Joint Memorandum on National Culture, and Malaysian Chinese Organizations’ Election Appeals Committee (better known as Suqiu).<\/p>\n In the mid-1980s, fifteen Chinese organizations led by the SCAH put forward the Manifesto of Chinese Organizations with the aim to promote civil rights movement. Since then, the Chinese organizations has been actively participating in public affairs in order to establish a civil society.<\/p>\n In 1995, the Centre for Malaysian Chinese Resources and Studies, predecessor of the Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies, organized an academic conference entitled “State Agency and Civil Society”, the goal of which was to introduce the concept of civil society and to initiate discussion on the issue.<\/p>\n During the 22nd National Chinese Cultural Festival in 2005, the SCAH again organized an academic conference, under the theme of “State Agency and Civil Society”, together with the New Era College and the Southern College to study the power and revolution of people’s autonomy, as well as to look for the new prospects for social reconstruction.<\/p>\n In view of this, the KLSCAH has set up the Civil Society Award with the aim to further promote the tradition of people’s autonomy. We hope that this initiative will encourage more individuals and organizations to participate in pushing for social progress and to establish a civil society.<\/p>\n Objectives<\/strong><\/p>\n Awards Winners<\/strong><\/p>\n\n