11th forum: speak now or forever hold your peace - human rights in malaysia

We promised fireworks and we delivered fireworks at the last event of Nation Building School yesterday night!

We had a open and honest discussion on a tough topic in Malaysia—human rights. It was intense, it was heated, it was passionate, it was worth it. 

Dr Lin Mui Kiang (ex-UN specialist) gave us a comprehensive overview of international human rights and the situation back home. 

Prof Azmi Sharom (law professor) delivered an impassioned, earnest defence of human rights. He called on the powers that be to uphold human rights. As Azmi puts it, ‘human rights are the shields for the powerless.’

We journeyed with King Chai (former student activist) on his #UKM4 experience. They challenged the draconian AUKU and won—fundamentally changed the way tertiary education students engage in politics on campus. He suggests the changes to AUKU may have killed the student movement as independent student activists have given way to student politicians aligned to their political masters.

Amir Fareed Rahim (political analyst) asserted the language of human rights must be inclusive. He posited the rise of populist politics—Trump, Duterte—as failure of the liberal notion of human rights. Amir pointed out we cannot assess Malaysia in a vacuum but must consider global politics. He had a bleak outlook on future of human rights but called on Malaysians to get out of comfort zone and do something. 

Special thanks you to UK in Malaysia - British High Commission Kuala Lumpur or supporting this event. Masala Wheels food was good!

Watch out for #NationBuildingSchool in 2017!