Activist Figurine

Rights advocate, Wong Ee Lynn at Savoir Vivre in Kuala Lumpur, in her final post for 2009 (on December 30) interviewed 5 Malaysian activists – Edmund Bon Tai Soon, Brian Lariche, Loretta Ann Shepherd, Joe Yap and Ahmad Fansuri. LoyarBurok reproduces Edmund’s talking points as they pertain to the MyConsti movement helmed by a fresh breed of “consti” activists in the making. For the full post, see here.

Edmund Bon (lawyer, human rights activist and legal aid volunteer)

What was the best thing that you will remember of 2009?

Post-March 8, and this year particularly, we have seen a rise in the number of young(er) activists advocating civil society’s causes. 10 years after the birth of the “Reformasi Generation” (as Liew Chin Tong puts it), we have many new, idealistic professionals and students wanting to be heard, to stake their claim, and to shape society by themselves; not allowing others to do it for them.

The successful launch of the “MyConstitution Campaign” or “Kempen PerlembagaanKu” on 13 November 2009 is strong testimony of this – our young Malaysians have sought to embark on a difficult terrain yet uncharted for 2 years to educate 28 million rakyat about the Constitution. These activists are the rising and future stars of the Bar, and include, among others, Mahaletchumi Balakrishnan, Syahredzan Johan, Grace Wong, Firdaus Husni, Adrian Chew, Daniel Albert, Kwan Will Sen, June Low, Low Boon Seong, Samuel Leong, Selena Kong, Shamala Balasundaram, Yip Xiaoheng, Yeoh Tung Seng, Tey Jun Ren, Yap Yin May, Sonya Liew, Young Ai Peng, Nadia Abu Bakar, Michael Loo, Leong Yeng Kong, Keith Chin, Joshua Tay, Gregory Marimuthu and David Siaw.

Malaysia’s future looks bright!

If there is anything regrettable or anything you could change about 2009, what would it be?

The way the monarchy took an unprecedented role in our democratic affairs, noting what happened in Terengganu and Perak. Incidents which have caused public disquiet exposed the institution to attacks which could have been avoided. The perception of the Judiciary has not improved, some argue that it has plummeted.

And of course, more importantly, the number of beached whales that die every year. How do we stop that? It is really sad to see them stranded and helpless.

What do you hope 2010 will bring?

MyConsti is working hard to launch the remaining 8 phases by March 2011 – (i) institutions of the Constitution and separation of powers (coming your way on January 15 at Sunway University College), (ii) federal-state relations, (iii) fundamental liberties and the rakyat, (iv) Parliament, (v) Executive, (vi) Judiciary, (vii) elections and democracy, and (viii) Sabah and Sarawak.

I wish that many more people will work with us on the Campaign, participate in our discussions and workshops, attend our launches, join our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MyConstitution, check out our “Rakyat Guides” and “Rakyat Service Advertisements” at www.perlembagaanku.com, watch our 1-minute video clips at www.youtube.com/user/PerlembagaanKu and disseminate the enduring messages of the Constitution to their friends and loved ones.

3 replies on “Malaysia’s future is bright with the “consti” activists”

  1. I urgently need some hints and opinions on how to go about with the below case. Please help me.

    A company search was done on 16-10-2009 and the corporate information is as follows:-

    a) Company Name: ABC Sdn. Bhd. (not real name)

    b) Last Old Name: XYZ Sdn. Bhd. (not real name)

    c) Date of Change: 02-04-2008

    Registration Date: 18-08-2005

    I lodged a complaint to the Govt. Dept. against ABC S/B for operating without a valid certificate. On 08-12-2009, the Dept. forwarded me a copy of letter dated 24-09-2007 addressed to ABC S/B stating approval for a permit. (I believe motive is to discredit my complaint). I will leave out the other 2 flaws in the letter until a later date.

    Was the Dept. morally and legally correct to consider XYZ's (since ABC was not in existence at that time) application and approved it on 24-09-2007? The requirements were Form 24, Form 49 and MAA must be certified by Pesuruhjaya Sumpah or …. and attached together with the application. The effective date of change of ABC to XYZ was on 02-04-2008.

    Hopefully, I could get some answers and how to pursue the matter further from some kind hearted people here. Thanking you in advance.

    1. Dear Leong Yook Ong,

      Thank you for thinking so well of us as to pose your legal question here. As much as we would like to attend to your query, we think it improper to do so here.

      Having considered your question, we think it proper for you to consult a lawyer of your choosing and show him the relevant letters so that he may consider your queries more thoroughly and completely. We do not encourage loosely giving legal advice and do not wish to promote the same.

      Thank you for stopping by.

      Lord Bobo

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