By Farida Jivamala Ibrahim

Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM) and National Human Rights Society (HAKAM) unveiled at their media conference on 14 August at Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall a document that offers for our society possibly the most durable passage out of abject poverty and marginalization: The Draft Social Inclusion Act (SIA 2012). (Click on highlighted link to download.)

In their media statement highlighting the need for such an Act, SABM and HAKAM pointed out that the vision to achieve a just, equitable and inclusive society as enshrined in the Rukunegara proclaimed on 31st August 1970 had yet to be realized, almost 42 years on.

HAKAM’s Malik Imtiaz Sarwar stressed that today almost 40% of Anak Bangsa Malaysia are still trapped in the inter-generational cycle of poverty and inequality. “Give power to marginalized society,” he called. “Give them the means to help themselves.”

Malik Imtiaz said the urgent need is to focus on long-term solutions to bring about a socially just and more inclusive society and not temporary measures like “handouts and 1-shirt fits all prescriptions which are but temporary and will not lift our people from the societal quagmire.”

ANOTHER year has passed,

And still we do not know the truth.

We will not rest till justice is done!

That was the resolve with which a group of Anak Bangsa Malaysia,