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Children’s Homes Fundraising Dinner – An Interview with UMNO

Wednesday, 09 December 2009 02:44pm

Contributed by Human Rights Committee

On 4th December 1950, the United Nations officially declared 10th December as International Human Rights Day by to mark the birth of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. In keeping with this tradition and the significance of the day, the Bar Council’s Human Rights Committee (BCHRC) is hosting a fundraising dinner for seven selected children’s homes, in recognition of a child’s fundamental right to food, shelter, healthcare, security, education and eventually gainful employment once they become adults.

It gives the BCHRC great pleasure to announce that UMNO, aided by the support of various private companies and individual party members, have come to the aid of these homes as the highest grossing donor for the Fundraising Dinner.

Dato’ Seri Azim Zabidi, Division Head, UMNO Bukit Bintang

It is also with the greatest respect and honour that the BCHRC recognises UMNO’s commitment to children’s rights and their welfare even though there have been high profiled differences in opinion on the broader issue of human rights and its application to Malaysian in general. With that background and UMNO’s magnanimity, BCHRC sat down with Dato’ Seri Azim Zabidi, Division Head, UMNO Bukit Bintang (right), to share with us his views on the event and the cause.

BCHRC: What inspired UMNO Bukit Bintang to support this Fundraising Dinner?

Dato’ Seri Azim: Mainly due to the cause of the fundraising which is to promote children’s rights and welfare. We believe that any action to advance and promote children’s rights and welfare should be supported. Programs raising awareness of children’s rights under the Convention of Rights and Child such as this program organised by the Malaysian Bar should be encouraged. The children’s rights to survival; to develop to the fullest; to protect from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life, which are enumerated in the Convention, are crucial for our nation’s future. And where it is in our capacity, we will strive to support this.

BCHRC: Were there any objections from any committee member or stakeholder when you first pitched the idea of sponsoring an event organised by the Bar Council?

Dato’ Seri Azim: Typically in any organization there are differences of view. Though the Bar is perceived by the media, most often than not, as not supporting the government, we know that there are many areas where the Bar has cooperated with the Government. Bukit Bintang UMNO’s view is straightforward. In areas where we have similar goals and objectives we can and should work together. However where we are not in agreement, we must be able to agree to disagree.

BCHRC: Do you think the rights of children are adequately protected in this country? In what way can it be improved?

Dato’ Seri Azim: There is always room for improvement. We believe that the enactment of Child Act 2001 was a major milestone in adhering to the UN Convention of Rights and Child. However we still hear instances where children are not sent to schools to receive primary education or in being abused and subject to severe corporal punishment. These are areas, among others, which we must strive to improve. Our approach in this matter may not be similar to some NGOs. As we are a political party we can provide a different channel to voice public grievances. In this respect UMNO Bukit Bintang is very keen to work with NGOs which intend to utilise this platform.

BCHRC: What are some of the other on-going projects UMNO Bukit Bintang is involved in?

Dato’ Seri Azim: Our activities are generally community based. Take for instance recently where we had a one day 1Malaysia community based program where we provided legal and health services as well as family based forums and activities. We’ve had in the past conducted various education, economic and social programs for the community residing in Bukit Bintang. For example we provided full assistance in the relocation of squatters to the Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR). We also voiced the plights and problems of PPR residents to the relevant authorities. We have fought for their right of ownership to their dwellings and the provision of a better social infrastructure. This is an ongoing activity that we are always involved with.

BCHRC: Does UMNO Bukit Bintang work with any other charitable institutions at the moment?

Dato’ Seri Azim: Not at the moment but we have in the past. Additionally, under the 1Malaysia concept, we believe that we have to reach out to a wider audience. This is the first engagement with the Bar Council and the charitable institutions that will benefit from the fundraising exercise. We hope it would be the first of many more steps to foster better relationship and engagement in the future.

We at the BCHRC hereby extend our deepest gratitude to UMNO and all companies and individuals for their support and foresight.

The BCHRC Children’s Homes Fundraising Dinner, carrying the theme “Our Children. Our Hope. Our Future” will be held at Sunway Hotel, Resort and Spa on 10 December 2009. The dinner ticket is RM200-00 per person or RM2,000-00 per table. We also welcome individual donations, in cash or in kind, and corporate sponsorship.

For tickets and further information, please click here or contact Lim Ka Ea at 03-2031 3003, ext. 127, email: kaea@malaysianbar.org.my, or Siti Kasim at 012-223 3371, email: sitikasim@gmail.com.

Watch this space for the report on the event and see you tomorrow!

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