Twenty members and volunteers of civil society groups today distributed 11,000 leaflets on various social justice issues within two hours here today.The joint leafleting activity involving several NGOs was held in conjunction with the International Right to Know Day that falls on 28 September every year to raise citizens' awareness on their right of access to public information.

Members and volunteers from the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), the Abolish ISA Movement (Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA, GMI), the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) and Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT) distributed leaflets around the Masjid Jamek and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman areas this afternoon.

CIJ executive director Gayathry Venkiteswaran said the joint leafleting was organised to distribute information on all areas of social justice and political rights to the people.

"The essence of building an informed citizenry is that all citizens have the right to access information that is important to them. There are so many issues where the public has been denied access to information such as the privatisation of health and water services, voter rights, misuse of public funds, detention without trial under the Internal Security Act and others."

"We hope that through this activity people will realise that they have the right to know about any decisions that affect their lives," she said at the end of the event.

CIJ, which coordinated the event, first celebrated the International Right to Know Day in 2006 when the National Campaign for a Freedom of Information Act was launched.

Sisters in Islam (SIS) chief trainer Zaitun Kasim said information is vital for everyone, especially women so that they can make better choices in life. The SIS leaflets, she said offered information on where women could go for support.

"We also targeted the men in our leafleting especially on the sexist MPs issue. Many people picked up the leaflet and expressed their support to us," Zaitun said.

Empower project officer Ayesha Melati Shariff Paul said being in direct contact with the public gave her an opportunity to gauge public opinion on several issues.

"I also see how people react to the topics, some are open to the contents while others dismiss them even before reading," she said.

Women's Development Collective officer Teh Chian Yi said the leafleting was a way to get the messages out directly to the public.

"There are many important issues that do not receive adequate coverage from the media, they tend to give different priorities to these issues," said Teh who was distributing leaflets on the sexist MPs and privatisation of healthcare services.

For project assistant Mardhiah Yaakob and administrative assistant Ruhil Razak of Women's Aid Organisation, it was a new experience for them to reach out to the public. They said the campaign to raise public awareness on their right to know was an important one especially for NGOs have limited access to the public.

CIJ will organise this event annually to mark the International Right to Know Day.

Contact information:

Gayathry Venkiteswaran
Executive Director, CIJ
016-3123478

Background information

On International Right to Know Day

It was first celebrated in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2002 at an international meeting of access to information advocates who proposed that September 28th be dedicated to the promotion of freedom of information worldwide. The goal is to raise citizens' awareness level about their right of access to information under the control of government institutions. These celebrations are aimed towards the citizenry, a non specialized clientele.

More information can be found on this websites :
http://www.righttoknowday.net/index_eng.php and http://www.foiadvocates.net/rkd07.php

 

About CIJ

The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a media organization that aims to improve current Malaysian journalism practice and independence through advocacy, research and analysis, training and practical work. Started in 2001, CIJ has initiated various projects in developing grassroots communications skills through training, infrastructural support and direct action.

About JAG

JAG is a coalition of women's groups represented by

• Women's Development Collective
• Women's Centre for Change
• Women's Aid Organisation
• Sisters in Islam
• All Women's Action Society
• Empower (Pusat Janadaya)
• Malaysian Trade Union Congress - Women's Committee

Content of Leaflets Distributed

• CIJ - Principles of Freedom of Information Act and issues where the public has not had access to information on, examples include the negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement between Malaysia and the US.
  
  
• JAG - Vote for a sexism-free Parliament. The leaflet lists the sexist and discriminatory comments by MPs in Parliament and what the public can do to reject sexism as it violates women's rights and creates a culture that is insulting to women and men.
  
  
• Sisters in Islam - Information on Telenisa (03-77843733) and how women can get legal advice on maintenance (nafkah), non-consent divorce (perceraian tanpa rela) and marriage contract (ta'liq tambahan).
  
  
• Women's Aid Organisation - Stop Violence Against Women. The poster details types of violence against women, statistics on the different crimes against women and children, how to recognise violent behaviour, and what can be done to step up personal security and safety around you.
  
  
• Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) - An FAQ on the ISA and why it should be repealed. It also states the stand of different civil society groups on the ISA that are unanimous in calling for its repeal and to bring all cases to the court for a fair and open trial.
  
  
• JERIT - Caution against privatisation of health services and a list of fundamental principles for any schemes to privatise healthcare services. It also gives suggestions on what the public can do to assert its rights.
  
  

Also distributed were leaflets on the recent amendments to the labour laws that now disempower workers and that were passed without widespread public consultation, not even the Malaysian Trades Union Congress.