Article contributed by Anusha Gopala Krishnan, Officer, Constitutional Law Committee and photos by Satha Selvan, Senior Administrative Assistant, Bar Council
On 6 Sept 2014, the Bar Council Constitutional Law Committee (“CLC”) organised a public forum entitled “Race Relations under the Constitution: The Realities in Malaysia and the Way Forward” at the Raja Aziz Addruse Auditorium, Straits Trading Building. The event, which was a collaboration with Virtual Logic Sdn Bhd, also saw the launch of CLC’s MyConstitution Android and iPhone mobile applications (“apps”) and the mandarin version of the Rakyat Guide booklets.
Christopher Leong, President of the Malaysian Bar officially kick–started the event by delivering the opening address. In his speech, the President highlighted the concerns about religious extremism in the country, and how this extremism does not reflect the aspirations of the Federal Constitution. He concluded his speech with an open invitation to any organisation, institution or individual for future collaborations or partnerships with the Malaysian Bar to raise constitutional awareness among the public.
The speech was followed by a presentation of the MyConstitution mobile apps by Loy Tuan Roon from Virtual Logic Sdn Bhd. After Loy’s presentation, the mandarin version of the Rakyat Guide booklets and the mobile apps were officially launched the President and CLC’s Chairperson, Firdaus Husni.
The Chairperson then thanked all the individuals who were involved in the translation process of the Rakyat Guide booklets into the Mandarin language, which included Cheong Yew Ken, Choong Wei Ling, Elaine Gan Peay Er, Low Boon Seong, Pang Jo Fan, Pang Xue Qing, Tan Lee Chin, Tew Li Mei, Wong Jye Mei, the late Yaw Ern Nian and Yeo Yang Poh (some names may have been inadvertently excluded).
The forum began after the speakers delivered their individual presentations on the importance of constitutional literacy among the citizens and how it can curb racial tension.
The speakers for the forum were:
(1) Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi, MARA University of Technology;(2) Gan Ping Sieu, Co–President, Centre for a Better Tomorrow (“CENBET”);(3) Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Council Member, National Unity Consultative Council (“NUCC”); and(4) Syahredzan Johan, Member of the Bar.
The forum was moderated by Ambiga Sreenevasan, Past President of the Malaysian Bar.
The panellists successfully held the attention of the crowd with their informative exchange of thoughts. The forum was a heated one as many questions were asked by the audience and the speakers debated among themselves in addressing some of the queries. Among the points that were raised and discussed (in no particular order) were as follows:
(1) The importance of the education system in fostering race relations;(2) A suggestion to revisit the possibility of having local government election;(3) A suggestion to establish an institution to improve the quality of legislators especially in terms of understanding the Federal Constitution;(4) Race–based party, its relevance and the freedom of association under the Federal Constitution;(5) Citizens should learn about the Federal Constitution, understand its supremacy and engage in discourse;(6) Government policies should be in conformity with the Federal Constitution, and not vice versa;(7) Diversity is not a problem. In fact, it must be celebrated;(8) The objective of affirmative action is to help the poor and the underprivileged; and(9) The Federal Constitution should be made a subject taught in schools.
In conclusion, the forum was a success as most of the contentious issues relating to the Federal Constitution and its connection to race and religion were addressed and discussed at a great depth by the line of speakers. The audience were very engaging which made the forum interesting and lively, and they benefitted a lot from attending the forum.