The Right Honourable Mr. Virendra Sharma, MP for Ealing Southall, invites you to a briefing at the House of Commons. The briefing will draw attention to the plight of marginalised communities in Malaysia. In particular, of the ethnic Indians and the Orang Asal(indigenous peoples of Malaysia).
Guest Speakers from Malaysia
- Mr P.Waytha Moorthy, Human Rights Advocate and Chair of HINDRAF
- Dr. Jeffrey G. Kitingan, former Senator Malaysian Parliament and former Prisoner of Conscience
- Mr.Nicholas Bawin, Expert Witness on Native Customary Rights and former President National Dayak Union
The Ethnic Indian community
The ethnic Indians were imported as indentured labourers from British India from 1756 onwards until Malaya was granted its independence in 1957. Discriminatory policies and practices have left the ethnic Indians behind in the development of Malaysia. Thousands are also stateless.
The Orang Asal and Native Customary Rights
Being the earliest inhabitants of the land, the customs and rights of the indigenous peoples of Malaysia are recognised and protected by law. In reality, the Orang Asal experience a gradual erosion of their rights and the partial access to ''Bumiputera' benefits.
The Promise of the Malaysia Agreement 1963
In 1963, Sabah and Sarawak joined Malaya and Singapore to form Malaysia. As years went by, the status of Sabah and Sarawak as equals to Malaya was eroded to the point where Sabah and Sarawak are now just one of the states in the Federation of Malaysia. The marginalisation of its people stems from the loss of autonomy promised by the 1963 Malaysia Agreement.
Book your Place
Use the booking form below to apply for e-tickets. You may book for up to 2 persons. There is no charge for booking or the briefing. The meeting is jointly organised by the Human Rights Action Front and The Monitoring Group, UK.
NOTE : Please arrive 20 minutes before the briefing to clear security checks. Once you are in the building, staff will guide you to the briefing venue.
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