NGOs form Fikir think tank to address Malay issues in Penang
Forty-five Penang NGOs have come together to form think tank Fikir to address the issues affecting the Malay community in the state.
As founder Muhamad Farid Saad told Malaysiakini in an interview today, Fikir has met twice, and is currently in the process of inviting other Malay groups or and academics to join their cause...
Forty-five Penang NGOs have come together to form think tank Fikir to address the issues affecting the Malay community in the state.
As founder Muhamad Farid Saad told Malaysiakini in an interview today, Fikir has met twice, and is in the process of inviting other Malay groups and academics to join their cause.
"This group is non-partisan, but it needs political action in a non-political way for the sake of our community's survival.
"Our objective is to gather Malay NGOs, their members and individuals who are interested in the situation and position of Malays in Penang," said Farid, the former Pulau Betong assemblyperson.
"We want to discuss these issues in a holistic manner, to find out the causes, which are usually inter-related, and to try and resolve our community's problems.
"This group will be thinkers, and we plan to form a united front to help develop and improve the lives of the Penang Malays."
Farid (photo) noted that Fikir will tackle issues involving Malays in the state, including socio-economy, housing, environment, culture, law, legal representation and education.
The think tank will also work with other groups to fight for people's rights, including vocal NGOs like Penang Forum and Citizens Chant Awareness.
Penang has seen various protests in recent years by those feeling marginalised by the state's development and housing policies.
Farid said understanding the competitiveness of the Malays in Penang is an important aspect, aside from gathering data and learning the history of the community's presence in the state.
"There should be less dependence on the state government and more leaning towards being aware of the Malay situation in the state.
"We will make sure we will provide our members with all the necessary information, so that our discussions and decisions are based on facts," he said.
"Most importantly, we want to build a generation of Malays who are informed, knowledgeable and educated.
"We encourage Malays to contact us if they have any issues to raise, as we hope to act as proposers and a pressure group to highlight their problems, and we will jointly get them resolved."
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