Siti Kasim, whose full name is Siti Zabedah Kasim, is known for championing the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, especially against harassment from religious extremists, and defending the rights of the Orang Asli, who are trying to stop companies from carrying out logging activities in their traditional forests.
Student activist Anis Syafiqah, meanwhile, made headlines when she was suspended for six months by Universiti Malaya (UM) and fined RM400 for her involvement in the “#TangkapMalaysianOfficial1 (MO1)” rally.
The Civil Rights Award, presented by the Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, is aimed at recognising the works and contributions of an organisation or an individual, towards building Malaysia as a progressive and democratic country, a statement from the organisers said.
Other nominees this year include Lawyers For Liberty; Delineation Action & Research Team; Ban Cyanide Committee vice-chair Hue Shierly; and Sungai Buloh Leprosy Centre committee member Chan Yan Nee.
Also nominated were the late social activist Thasleem Mohamed Ibrahim; Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Kelantan; Kampung Hakka’s Action Committee and independent publisher Pak Choong.
The keynote speaker at the presentation dinner will be G25 group of prominent Malays spokesperson Noor Farida Ariffin who will talk about “Malaysia as a secular state”.
“Malaysia has been struggling with a nation identity since independence 60 years ago. History told us that Malaysia was made up from a consensus that the Malay, Chinese and Indian form majority ethnicity whereas, Islam is the official religion and a political system that follows parliamentary democracy and the English legal system.
“The people enjoy freedom of religion and speech. For many years, this has been the understanding and never once have we doubted that Malaysia is a secular state.
“However, and with regret, some political parties or politicians have manipulated this understanding arbitrarily and unconstitutionally for their own political gain.
“We are blessed that an organisation called G25 was set up to counter these radical and extreme views and with a vision to promote and embrace diversity,” said the 6th Civil Society Organising Committee chairperson Liao Kok Fah in a statement announcing the event.
Tickets for the event are priced at RM50 each and food for the buffet dinner is halal.
To purchase tickets, call 03-2272 4089 or email: [email protected]. Payment may be made via cheque payable to The Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall or transfer to its Public Bank account at 3077167622.
For enquiries, call Ms Heng at 03-2274 6645.