The Malaysian Bar - MyConstitution Campaign arrived at Kampung Batu 14, Tapah, Perak (4 Sept 2010)

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MyConstitution Campaign arrived at Kampung Batu 14, Tapah, Perak (4 Sept 2010)

Contributed by M Gokoolaram Naidu, Executive Legal Officer, Perak Legal Aid Centre and photos by Perak Legal Aid Centre

This event was jointly organised by the Perak Legal Aid Centre (PLAC), Bar Council Constitutional Law Committee (BCCLC) and Ipoh City Watch (ICW). When M Gokoolaram Naidu, Executive Legal Officer of PLAC, was requested by BCCLC to identify an Orang Asli village in Perak to launch the event, he wasted no time in getting Bah Tony, Coordinator for ICW, onto the bandwagon and together, they selected Kampung Batu 14 for this purpose. More than 100 Semai villagers were treated to a two-and-a-half hour intensive MyConstitution Campaign session, consisting of the distribution of the five Rakyat Service Advertisements, a PowerPoint presentation by Daniel Albert, member of BCCLC, and talks on the Federal Constitution by Edmund Bon, Chairperson of BCCLC, and Augustine Anthony, member of PLAC and Bar Council Committee on Orang Asli Rights (COAR).

A total of more than 30 lawyers and other volunteers from BCCLC, COAR, Bar Council Human Rights Committee and Kuala Lumpur Legal Aid Centre, and several good samaritans joined forces to make the event a great success.

The event helped to develop a deeper understanding of the various aspects of the Federal Constitution by taking into account all relevant socio-economic and cultural factors. The event concluded with a question-and-answer session led by the speakers. This event provided a comprehensive platform to discuss trends and priorities as well as other issues relating to the rights of Orang Asli. The discussions were enriched by various views and perspectives offered by the participants and speakers. By the end of the event, the volunteers and participants have enhanced their understanding of the Federal Constitution.

While the elders of the community were engrossed with the talk, the other volunteers wasted no time in interacting with the children by keeping them busy with games. Overall, the event also achieved its goal to foster greater participation and communication between the Orang Asli and volunteers.

All the volunteers unwound with a special buffet lunch cooked over the fire and served in the jungle. Typical Orang Asli houses served as the backdrop while Sewang music and dances complemented the lunch. Everyone rested in tranquility where one and nature can breathe in perfect harmony. Later, everyone took a walk along the native trail, passing by many cascades and jungle pools, enjoying the fauna and flora along the way.

In the late afternoon, everyone bid farewell and returned home. It is hoped that the volunteers will remember for a long time their enriching experience in understanding about the Federal Constitution and how it feels like to be close to nature.

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