GBM 9^th AGM Press Release

Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM), a coalition of 27 non-governmental organizations, concluded its 9^th Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2020 on 18^th July 2020. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the AGM was conducted through Zoom instead of physical meeting.

The AGM elected a new team of leadership for the coalition with Badlishah Sham Baharin, who is the deputy president of Pertubuhan IKRAM Malaysia, being elected as the new Chair of GBM.

In the opening speech of the outgoing Chair, Zaid Kamaruddin, who stepped down from the position after two terms, he highlighted that GBM adopts a collaborative and inclusive approach where the common interest is utmost and specific needs of each attended to. He stressed that diversity is a strength to be harnessed for the good of each of us in the society.

On the recent political development, he pointed out that while the peaceful transition of power in the 14^th General Election has inspired the spirit of change which has seen many civil society activists involve themselves in the government to contribute towards nation building, the recent political turbulence and Covid-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenge in their effort. Nevertheless, he stressed that GBM is a neutral organisation where each of its Member Organisation is entitled to its own stance. He hoped that whatever stance and action that is taken will be in good faith and for benefit of the nation.

Zaid also believed the “GBM Model”, in which all issues are seen as Malaysian issues and not issues of specific communities, could be a way forward.

The list of newly elected Executive Council (Exco) members of GBM is as follows:

Chair: Badlishah Sham Baharin, Pertubuhan IKRAM Malaysia (IKRAM)

Deputy Chair: Stanley Yong Yew Wei, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH)

Secretary: Yap Swee Seng, LLG Cultural Development Centre (LLG)

Assistant Secretary: Lochna Menon, All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)

Treasurer: Arumugam Kalimuthu, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram)

Exco Members:

Tan Yew Sing, Merdeka University Berhad (MUB)

John Ku, Tindak Malaysia (TM)

Beverly Joeman, ENGAGE

Loh Pai Ling, Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia (BMSM)

Jeffrey Phang, Persatuan Penduduk Petaling Jaya (MyPJ)

Sarajun Hoda, Pertubuhan Aliran Kesedaran Nasional (ALIRAN)