Malaysians for Beng Hock sets up Democracy Academy of Malaysia25 Oct 2013, Press Statement by Malaysians for Beng HockMalaysians for Beng Hock hereby announce the setting up of the Democracy Academy of Malaysia that conducts trainings and workshops across the country on democracy and human rights. Through these courses, we aim to train and empower more citizens to actively participate in social movements to drive the democratisation of our country, and to eventually achieve a society that is free of state violence and political persecutions.
..

The Democracy Academy of Malaysia, which is under the advisory of veteran social activists Datuk Abdul Samad Said (Pak Samad), Mr. Ong Boon Keong, Dr. Wong Chin Huat and Dr. Toh Kin Woon, will kick off with the rolling out of five short courses – Education for Democracy, Community Organising, Introduction to Political Economy, Understanding Draconian Laws and Your Rights, and the Basic of Child Rights Convention. In this series of courses, Education for Democracy is designed to provide a general foundation to the learning of the rest. On the other hand, the course on child’s rights is specifically written in response to the BN government’s attempt to clampdown on children’s participation in the Himpunan Hijau in Raub.
..The academy is also set up to pay tribute to Teoh Beng Hock, an innocent victim who lost his life in a political scheme orchestrated by the BN to depose the Selangor state government in 2009. Teoh Beng Hock symbolises the young generation who rises to the political challenges and demands for a change in the general election in 2008. Many have joined the political and social workforces right after the election, and have relentlessly devoted themselves to push for democratisation of our country. It is in this spirit of determination that the academy will strive to facilitate Malaysia’s transition to a truly democratic state.
..

5 months have passed since the 13th GE. While many are disappointed over the unsuccessful regime change, Malaysians for Beng Hock believes that democratisation is a continual and long-term endeavor that is unlikely to take place over the course of one election or a mass demonstration. We firmly hold that the social movements must continue its mission to empower the people to bring about democratic reforms that we much desire.
..

We wish that through the democracy academy of Malaysia, and collaborations with our allies, we can help more people acquire a deeper understanding of democracy and human rights, and engage in participatory practices that cultivate necessary skills and aptitude, to direct the development of our communities and our country towards a path where more freedom, democracy and social justice is possible.
..

Please contact us at 012-2658448 or akademidemokrasi@gmail.com to enquire details about the trainings. Our website address : https://www.facebook.com/democracyacademy
..

Ng Yap Hwa
Coordinator
Malaysians for Beng Hock
teohbenghock.org