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Suaram hosts donation drive on 25th anniversary dinner

Human rights group, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) will be hosting a dinner and donation drive in conjunction with its 25th anniversary on May 23.

The non-governmental organisation's Executive Director, Yap Swee Seng said they aimed to collect RM200,000 during the dinner which will be held at the Petaling Jaya City Hall civic centre to fund its operations this year.

He said throughout the years, Suaram had faced various challenges in defending human rights and fighting to have a democratic, fair and just administration.

"Throughout the last 25 years, Suaram noticed that the human rights situation in Malaysia is getting more serious. Besides fighting to repeal the Internal Security Act, we also expanded our scope, in terms of reforming the police force, deaths in detention and other issues," he said at a press conference today.

Secretary general of Parti Sosialis Malaysia, S Arutchelvan (1st from right) speaks to reporters during a press conference with the media at Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur today. Ulaganathan s/o Muniandy was the 19 year old who died while under police custody on 12 May 2003. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, April 18, 2014.
Secretary general of Parti Sosialis Malaysia, S Arutchelvan (1st from right) speaks to reporters during a press conference with the media at Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur today. Ulaganathan s/o Muniandy was the 19 year old who died while under police custody on 12 May 2003. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, April 18, 2014.

He said there are still many human rights issues that they needed to champion, such as getting the government to set up the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), the usage of the Arabic word Allah by Christians, hudud laws and the right to gather.

Suaram director, Kua Kia Soong said it is important for the NGO to have funds to continue its work.

"We have always championed for human rights, and this effort needs huge funds," he said in illustrating an example of how the case of a 19-year-old teenager who died under police detention took 11 years to solve.

"Our operations are dependent on contributions from the public and grants from the private sector, and these are reduced now due to the current economic situation," he added.

He said Suaram is also fighting against the rising cost of living, saying that it can be resolved by strategic changes to policies but unfortunately the nation is still far behind in achieving efficient administration.

"This is why we hoped to get the support from the people who wanted to see truth, justice and human rights prevail to attend the dinner. We will also invite other NGOs," he said.

Tickets for the dinner, costing RM100, RM500 and RM1,000 can be purchased online at www.mamiando.com/suaram.

It can also be obtained directly from Suaram's office at 433A, Jalan 5/46, Gasing Indah, Petaling Jaya. – April 18, 2014.