2nd Annual Civil Society Award - 2009

If we were to turn back the pages of time and ask what we had done for ourselves, it will not be a surprise to realize that there are “things” that have been left undone.

If we cannot get the “things” done for ourselves then how can we do “anything” good for another?

People tend to be excited easily when a tragic situation of another fellow human happens. But sad to say like the ebb tide, it disappears just as fast as it has come.


Be it from the individuals or groups, we are blessed that there are still concerned people out there who are selfless.

We are living in a chaotic world where we the people allow the rich and powerful to steal from us, the nation’s wealth, and the people’s self-respect yet we are willing to say nothing about it. We prefer to depend on others to fight the cause and choose to be the judge, jury and executioner in our own comfort zone.

Who are the “we” then? It can be anyone of us who falls in this category of disgust!

The Civil Society 2nd.Annual Award for those distinguished recipients has harnessed the belief that there is a quantum of headcount that has sprouted to stand up to what they believe in. Syabas!

Civil Society 2nd.Annual Award Nominees are:

1. Sarawak Penan Community

2. Wong Chin Huat

3. HINDRAF

4. BERSIH

5. JERIT

6. Jawatankuasa Mempertahankan Sekolah Asal Damansara dan Memohon Sekolah Kedua

7. Jawatankuasa Bertindak Menentang Penggunaan Cyanide Dalam Pelombongan Emas Di Bukit Koman Raub, Pahang.

The 2009 Civil Society Award organised by The Chinese Assembly Hall went to:

1. Sarawak Penan Community
2. Raja Petra Kamaruddin.
3. Sisters in Islam.

Note: Not in the order but they are the equal winners. CONGRATULATIONS!