A Malaysia Day Gift for Malaysia — Human Rights Documentary Film Screening and Exhibition Series

Joint Press Statement by Malaysians for Beng Hock movement and Sunflower Electoral Education movement
A Malaysia Day Gift for Malaysia — Human Rights Documentary Film Screening and Exhibition Series
September 2012 – October 2012

On the occasion of the 49th Malaysia Day, the Malaysians for Beng Hock movement and Sunflower Electoral Education movement (SEED) intend to present a meaningful Malaysia Day gift to Malaysia, that is to organise a human rights documentary film screening and exhibition series and other relevant activities from the early september through the end of october 2012. It aims to promote the citizens’ awareness of democracy and human rights and encourage the general public to take active part in the growing movements for human and civil rights.

We are glad to have cooperation with six civil society organizations in Kuala Lumpur, Rawang, Segamat, Sungai Petani and Muar, which are Women section of KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, Rawang New Village Anti High Tension Cable committee, LLG Segamat liaison committee, Malaysians for Beng Hock Kedah branch, LLG Kedah-Perlis Liaison committee and Zhong Zheng Kuai Xun.

Whether is National Day or Malaysia day, it is for us to remember and reflect on the nation’s path from colonization to independence and towards freedom and democracy. Every citizen should ask himself or herself: Are we enjoying more freedom and human rights rights than in the pre-independence days? At a time when the ruling and opposition alliances are bickering over the slogans “Janji Ditepati” and “Senegara Sejiwa,” we hold that society urgently needs a debate on policies of democracy and human rights to provide our citizens with a broader view to understand the true meaning of a national day.

We will be screening a Taiwan-made human rights documentary entitled “Hand in Hand” and Teoh Beng Hock’s documentary entitled “Fallen”.

The former tells the story of social activists T’ien Ch’ao-ming and T’ien Meng-shu, a couple who had for decades participated in Taiwan’s democratic movement. The documentary reflects the Taiwan people’s hardships and sufferings during their long seven-decade struggle for democracy and human rights. A mere three-week screening of the film at the end of 2011 in Taiwan touched the hearts of many and won favourable comments from the public, bringing in NT$6 million in total ticket sales to make it the best-selling documentary film of the year on the island.

The later was produced by Wong Siew Ki. “Fallen” records the whole process of Teoh Beng Hock tragedy, from the mysterious death, inquest to royal commission of inquiry. The producer has also interview Teoh family, the family’s lawyer, Menteri Besar Selangor, Malaysians for Beng Hock and civil society leaders.

Aside from the film screening, we will be organising a series of activities such as “Bersih and Anti lynas movement” “Ask Najib: Be Lee Lan for 1 Minute,” “Pengerang Paintings Exhibition,” and “Signature Campaign for Release of ISA Detainees.” We must encourage the public to gain an in-depth understanding of the human and civil rights movements in other parts of Malaysia so they may stand in solidarity with the activists to fight for democracy and human rights together!

More information please visit teohbenghock.org or SEED’s facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SEED2011 or contact the person in charge Mr. Ng (012-2658448) or Eric (017-3101618)

Malaysians for Beng Hock Movement
Sunflower Electoral Education Movement