Message from the Presidium
[Commemorating the l0th Anniversary of FOS
(Friends of Suaram) Working Committee Johor]
Presidium: Yang Pei Keng, Chan Jock Lan, Wong Kwai Man
9.9.2001 - Founding of FOS Working Committee Johor
Since the inception of FOS [Friends of Suaram] Working Committee Johor on 9 September 2001, a period of 10 years has passed. As far as an active organization is concerned, a period of 10 years is rather short. But within this short span of time, the changes FOS has undergone are significant: it has its achievements as well as drawbacks.
FOS is a voluntary and not-for-profit organization, established purely for the purpose of rendering assistance to Suaram [Suara Rakyat Malaysia] Johor Bahru in furthering the cause of human rights and democracy.
When the parent body Suaram Johor Bahru was formed, its membership was rather limited, comprising mainly young students from UTM [Universiti Teknologi Malaysia] in Johor Bahru. Among these young students, some were graduates; others were about to graduate, while some others were undergrads. Though they had some social experience acquired by way of involving themselves in promoting human rights, there were inevitably limitations in their activities.
Process of forming FOS
With a view to reaching out to a wider section of the population, FOS came into being on 9 September 2001. This was the result of co-operation among various sectors of society. Time flies. FOS Working Committee has since carried on its human rights activities for 10 full years.
As mentioned above, the activists in Suaram Johor Bahru then were largely university students in their twenties. With a view to expanding the team of voluntary workers, a few active members travelled far and wide in the State of Johor, extending invitations to those who were actively involved in the leftist movement in the 1950s - 1960s, persuading them to be our members. We joined forces to work towards the promotion of human rights activities in the State of Johor.
At the material time, the majority of them [with a few exceptions] were reluctant or slow at taking an active part in the mainstream politics. They were more inclined towards having social gatherings among themselves, while some of them were engrossed in business activities for the purpose of making a living.
After some persuasion, some of them decided to participate in our human rights activities. In fact, FOS, at its inaugural meeting held at Menara Landmark, Johor Bahru, appointed them as FOS Working Committee members. They comprised more than half of the total membership. The young students were in the minority. Some of them on their own volition made contributions to the fund needed for the operation of FOS.
Unfortunately, after happily working together with us for a period of time, for some reasons, gradually the leftists of the 50s and 60s withdrew one after another from taking an active part in our FOS activities. Now, hardly any of them are with us after a lapse of 10 years.
FOS as at present
We are now back to a situation similar to that obtaining at the inception of FOS. The present team of the FOS Working Committee members are largely UTM graduates. Apart from involving themselves in FOS human rights work, they have to earn their own livelihood. They are now gainfully employed in different sectors of the business world.
Through practice, and undergoing trials and tribulations, they have a better grasp of the methods of promoting human rights and democracy. In the process of engaging in human rights activities, they become more matured in their social experience in life. Some of them are able to work independently. This is something praiseworthy.
If one cares to go through our past record, among the FOS Working Committee members at the inaugural meeting held 10 years ago, one will discover that only three out of the several university students are still with us. They are Ngo Chian Yee, Choo Shin Cheh and Yeo Tun Seong. The others are no longer with us for various reasons. Some of them have either moved away from Johor Bahru; some others involved themselves in party politics, while others have succumbed to the unenviable social environment.
Over the past 10 years, a different group of young and energetic university students has emerged and joined our rank of social workers fighting for human rights. They are full of vitality and enthusiasm. We firmly believe that they will be able to perform well in their human rights undertaking in time to come.
It is our sincere hope that these youthful human rights workers will use their best endeavours to recruit into our rank of human rights workers many more like-minded members of their peers of fine qualities. Hand in hand, we shall work together, and strive for a better future for our country.
Purpose of organising the Forum
Let me just touch on the purpose of organising this Forum. In fact, the topic of the Forum, namely, “NGOs are always with the people” is self explanatory. As an NGO, vis-à-vis the ruling power, we are always with the people through thick and thin.
The ruling power may change. A ruling party may become an opposition party overnight when the time is ripe. On the other hand, an opposition party may suddenly become a ruling party when the time is opportune. Any political party may be elevated to the position of a ruling party, having control over the administration of the country.
But NGOs are different. Whenever the interests of the populace are at stake, the NGOs will always align themselves with the people, but it has never been their objective to seize political power. NGOs’ independent and autonomous stand
Vis-a-vis any political party (whether it is the ruling party or the opposition party), the NGOs or civil society, as protector of the interests of the people, will invariably adopt an independent and autonomous position. We will support any political party which genuinely values human rights, but we will vehemently oppose any party that infringes upon human rights.
We will not be the appendage to any political party, nor will we be under the control of any political party. We regard it as our bounden duty to keep a watchful eye on the ruling power, providing checks and balances against any abuse of power. In this sense, NGOs are a formidable force to be reckoned with.
Today, in Malaysia, a mature civil society is in the offing. This is particularly so after it has been baptized by the 709 mass rally, spearheaded by Bersih 2.0, the renowned NGO advocating or pushing for electoral reform. The majority of the people are now imbued with confidence, and firmly believe in the strength of the civil society as a tremendous social force. Let all of us make greater efforts to further the healthy development of the cause of human rights and democracy in our country.
Presidium
FOS Working Committee, Johore11-9-2011
Link:
1) 华文版‘主席团献词’
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