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,

1. Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia [GBM], the Coalition 25 Civil Society organizations (list below), fully endorses the Social Inclusion Act {SIA, 2012} proposed by Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia [SABM] and the National Human Rights Society [HAKAM].

2. Today, almost forty percent of Malaysians are still trapped in the inter-generational cycle of poverty and inequality. Poor and Low Income households comprising 12 million citizens lack the capability to overcome the multi-dimensional disadvantages they face on a daily basis. Vulnerable individuals and groups, citizens and non-citizens alike, continue to encounter prejudice and discrimination, and remain marginalized.

3. The proposed SIA is in line with GBM's Charter that states - “There must be equitable distribution of wealth, to eradicate poverty, end marginalization and ensure the welfare of the People. Any affirmative action must be based on needs and not ethnicity.”

4. We believe this legislation contains key proposals that would go a long way towards achieving the goal of a just, equitable and inclusive society as envisioned in the Rukunegara promulgated on 31 August 1970.

5. In this regard, GBM calls upon all political parties to undertake a comprehensive study of the proposed legislation and to seriously consider adopting it for implementation. The specific proposal to establish an independent Social Inclusion Commission accountable directly to Parliament merits serious consideration as it is designed to address the issues of poverty and marginalization in a non-partisan, accountable and transparent manner.