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Closing date: 31 May, 2008

To acknowledge individuals and organisations on their contributions to civil society and to promote multiculturalism and multiethnicism, The KL &
Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) is currently organizing the Civil Society Award 2007.

Please download the nomination form and return it before the closing date, by sending in or hand delivery to the KLSCAH (the address is attach in the
nominations form).

KLSCAH hopes that this initiative will encourage more individuals and organizations to participate in pushing for social progress and to establish a civil society. For enquiry, please contact Mr. Chan at 03-2274 6645 or email to info@scah.org.my. Thank you!

Dewan Perhimpunan China Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor (The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall)

Civil Society Award’s Regulations and Conditions

1. Overview

The promotion and strengthening of freedom and democracy depend on the growth of civil society. Civil society refers to the domain of associations between the state and the family. It is dominated by organizations that are independent from the state and it consists of social members who participate on a voluntary basis in order to defend their interests or values.

The independence of Malaya in 1957 is the result of the efforts of people from various backgrounds and civil groups, which demonstrated the spirit of
political and social participation. From its inception to the flourishing growth, our civil society has long been promoting freedom and democracy.

The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) is formerly known as Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (SCAH). Formed in 1923, the KLSCAH
has always been actively participating in social movement in order to defend the well-being and interests of the nation and country, with a view to promoting social progress as well. The KLSCAH has played an important role in fighting for citizenship, as well as in drafting and implementing the Manifesto of Chinese Organisations, Joint Memorandum on National Culture, and Malaysian Chinese Organisations’ Election Appeals Committee (better known as Suqiu).

In the mid-1980s, fifteen Chinese organisations led by the SCAH put forward the Manifesto of Chinese Organisations with the aim to promote civil rights movement. Since then, the Chinese organisations has been actively participating in public affairs in order to establish a civil society.

In 1995, the Centre for Malaysian Chinese Resources and Studies, predecessor of the Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies, organised an academic conference entitled “State Agency and Civil Society”, the goal of which was to introduce the concept of civil society and to initiate discussion on the issue.

During the 22nd National Chinese Cultural Festival in 2005, the SCAH again organised an academic conference, under the theme of “State Agency and Civil
Society”, together with the New Era College and the Southern College to study the power and revolution of people’s autonomy, as well as to look for the new prospects for social reconstruction.

In view of this, the KLSCAH has set up the Civil Society Award with the aim to further promote the tradition of people’s autonomy. We hope that this initiative will encourage more individuals and organisations to participate in pushing for social progress and to establish a civil society.

2. Objectives

(a) To acknowledge individuals and organisations on their contributions to civil society;

(b) To encourage more individuals and organisations to participate in pushing for social reform, defending their civil rights, and opening up more space for democracy in order to strengthen the forces of civil society;

(c) To promote multiculturalism and multiethnicism with the hope of improving the communication and interaction among different ethnic groups;

(d) To promote the participation of Chinese organisations in public affairs and establishing a civil society.

3. The Award

The Award is given once a year, which can be conferred on up to three individuals or organisations in no particular order

4. Eligibility

Individuals who are Malaysian citizens or organisations in Malaysia are eligible for nomination.

Nominations for individuals must be received from individuals or organisations. Nominations for organisations can be made by the organizations concerned or other individuals or organisations.

5. The Award Committee

Scholars and community leaders will be invited to form a seven-member award committee. The committee will verify, nominate and select recipients of the
award.

All decisions by the committee are final.

6. Criteria for Selection

The committee will select recipients of the award according to the following criteria:

(a) Playing an important role in defending freedom of political participation and fighting for greater space for social freedom and democracy;

(b) Actively promoting the cooperation of civil groups from different background and areas;

(c) Initiating and pioneering social reforms;

(d) Promoting communications and interactions among different ethnic groups.

7. Award Announcement

The list of award recipients will be announced by the award committee and the award will be conferred later by the KLSCAH.

8. Amount of Award

(a) Each recipient will be awarded RM 5000, a trophy and a certificate;

(b) Each nominee will be awarded a certificate.

9. Amendment

The KLSCAH reserves the rights to amend any of the award’s regulations or conditions.

Particulars of Nominee

1. Particulars of Nominee

The nominee is required to submit the following information:

Individual Nominee

¡¤ Brief biography of the nominee (not less than 800 words).

¡¤ Speeches, articles, and any audio-visual information by or of the nominee.

¡¤ Introductory articles, news, internet information and any other audio-visual information about or related to the nominee.

¡¤ Awards and honours received by the nominee

¡¤ Recommendation letters

Organizational Nominee

¡¤ Introduction of the nominee organization (not less than 800 words).

¡¤ Information (articles, books, websites, reports, any other audio-visual records) published by the nominee organization

¡¤ Introductory articles, news, internet information, audio visual information about or related to the nominee organization.

¡¤ Awards and honours received by the nominee organization.

¡¤ Agenda and annual planning of activities of the nominee organization

¡¤ Social activities participated by the nominee organization

¡¤ Recommendation letters

2. Verification of nominee’s qualifications

The nominator is required to fill in the questionnaire and provide the particulars of the nominee. Please refer to “Questionnaire Outline for Nominator” for further details.

Questionnaire Outline for the Nominator

The nominator is required to fill in the questionnaire below (or interview by the selection committee) so that the selection committee has a better understanding about the nominee.

1. Please describe the nominee’s participation in the field of human rights, democracy, freedom, and civil society organizations, public issues, etc that contributes to social advancement.

2. Please explain your relationship with the nominee (eg. work partners, professional colleagues, personal friends). How long have you known the nominee? How deep is your understanding about the nominee? What leadership qualities does the nominee possess? Is the nominee generally recognized as a role model in society? What are the factors that motivate the nominee to participate in social works? Where are his/her beliefs and conviction rooted in?

3. What activities has the nominee led or initiated? Please list them out in detail and explain the specific achievements. What obstacles does the nominee face and what are his/her sacrifices?

4. What are the contribution and achievements of nominee? Has s/he received any award?

5. What are the fields of the nominee’s activism? What is his/her impact on society, the country and the region? What is the vision of the nominee? Has s/he any plan to strengthen civil society?

6. Please give two organizations that are familiar with the nominee and which the selection committee may consult for further understanding.