The Penan community, Muslim women's organisation Sisters in Islam and popular blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin were the winners of this year's Civil Society Award organised by the KL and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) tonight.

The award, in its second year, was given to organisations and individuals who have contributed to the development of civil society and opening up democratic space in the country.

klscah civil society award 120912 winners The three winners were chosen by a seven-member judging committee from a list of nine nominees.

The others shortlisted for the award for this year were polls reform group Bersih, Hindraf, the Bukit Koman anti-cyanide committee, grassroots movement Jerit, SOS Damansara and activist Wong Chin Huat.

Among the judges who picked on the three winners were activist Hishammuddin Rais, Bar Council president K Ragunath and Jemaah Islah Malaysia president Zaid Kamaruddin.

RPK was not present

The winners received testimonials, a trophy and RM5,000 each, to the cheers of the hundred over strong crowd made up of the media, the public and a cross section of Malaysia's activist community.

The event was held at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur.

klscah civil society award 120912 crowd-1 Another highlight in the event was a lecture delivered by Universiti Malaya's law lecturer Azmi Sharom. He spoke on the role of civil society in democratisation.

The ceremony started with an opening speech by the chairperson of the Civil Rights Award Organization Committee Yong Yew Wei.

Penan activist Nick Kelasau received the award on behalf of his community while SIS was represented by its programme manager for research and publication Masliza Hamzah.

Raja Petra was not present to receive his award. Yong accepted in on his behalf.