Late Bersih acting chair honoured with Lim Lian Geok Spirit Award

The late Bersih acting chairperson, Shahrul Aman Shaari, and SIS Forum have been named among the winners of the 38th Lim Lian Geok Spirit Award, in recognition of their unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and social reform in Malaysia.

Bersih and the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR) nominated the two recipients, respectively.

The electoral watchdog chairperson, Faisal Aziz, said nominating Shahrul (above) for this award was a huge honour in remembering his legacy.

“In the era when we were fighting against kleptocracy, Shahrul was the individual who stepped forward to lead Bersih. He led during a tense and challenging period, which ultimately cost him his job.

“Leading a civil movement against the tyranny and kleptocracy of that time was no easy task,” Faisal said during a press conference at the Lim Lian Geok Memorial Hall yesterday.

Shahrul, who was also Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia’s former secretary-general, died earlier this year at the age of 50.

Courage and perseverance

In the same press conference, MCCHR communications and outreach strategist Effa Qamariani said the award is vital in recognising SIS Forum's role in promoting justice, equality, and dignity for Muslim women in Malaysia.

“Through their countless, tireless advocacy, legal reform efforts and public education, SIS Forum has helped countless women understand and claim their rights.

“For their courage, consistency and deep commitment to justice, we are so proud to stand by SIS Forum as we receive their well-deserved recognition,” she said.

Effa also lauded the women’s rights group’s perseverance, noting that after years of legal struggle against the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) fatwa declaring the organisation deviant, the Federal Court this year ruled it cannot apply to the organisation.

Other recipients

The Lim Lian Geok Spirit Award recognises those who have made significant contributions to the promotion of national culture and mother-tongue education.

Its evaluation criteria included organisational development, social advocacy, community service, academic contributions, cultural development, and support for vulnerable groups.

There were 18 nominees this year - 14 individuals and four groups.

The 38th edition of the award also honoured three other recipients from various fields, namely headmistress Hee Kam Fong, former Universiti Malaya student activist Lee Phung Koon and educationist Teoh Huat.

The award ceremony is expected to take place on Dec 14, in conjunction with the Chinese Education Day celebration at the Confucian Private Secondary School in Kuala Lumpur.

Last year, the Lim Lian Geok Spirit Award announced PKR MP Hassan Abdul Karim as one of its recipients.

Hassan, the only politician who won last year, was nominated by Sunway University political scientist Wong Chin Huat and was awarded for his principled stance on current issues and for fearlessly speaking unpopular truths.

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