The first Penang Local Democracy Report is launched today! Check out the review of where Penang is up to in terms of local democracy and the challenges that lie ahead of us.
Preview of the report:
Please click the link to download the full report:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4R0nD1sJ_CSWlU3X1pLdUowZmc&authuser=0
Or, view the full report through Suaram’s Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/suarampg.my/media_set?set=a.10204112538762768.1073741829.1504295591&type=1
Lauching of the First Penang Local Democracy Report 2014
in conjunction of International Human Rights Day 2014
December 10 | 8pm
Hin Bus Depot Art Center
December 10th is Human Rights Day. Today we will celebrate the progress we are making in terms of local democracy. Come to an evening of celebration and activities, and witness the Launch of the first Penang Local Democracy Report, a review of where Penang is up to in terms of local democracy and the challenges that lie ahead of us.
7 December 2014, Town Hall, Esplanade
9am – 2pm
Many of us are unaware of our democratic heritage. There are many examples in the buildings and environment of Penang that bear testament to this heritage: the struggle of people for democratic development. Each year, Anwar Fazal is our tour guide on a Democratic Heritage Tour bus, a fabulous journey to key places which tell the story of Penang’s history of struggle for democracy. Not to be missed.
Penang state budget forum and booklet
30 Nov 2014, 2pm-4pm, Room Tanjong 1, Dewan Sri Pinang
Speakers: YB Chow Kon Yeow (Penang state exco), Aloyah Bakar (CEO of PWDC), YB Steven Sim (MP of Bukit Mertajam), Choo Chon Kai (PSM central committee member)
This forum will brief and analyse 2015 Penang state government budget and participatory budgeting. A booklet will be given to introduce and analyse some basic information about Penang state government budget.
Budgets are crucial in giving substance to policy goals. The understanding and the process of budgeting are crucial if we believe in the principles of local democracy: allowing both local elected representatives and Penang’s residents to participate both in decisions and monitoring of budget allocations. It is very encouraging to see how the Penang State government, together with MPPP and MPSP, has supported a Gender Responsive Budget process, which includes participation from within more marginalised communities. To help move all this forward, we will produce a booklet on how to read the state budget. The content included the introduction of budget (where did the income come from and where the money go), the budget cycle and suggestion for budget. We will also organise a forum(s) on discuss the Penang Government budget 2015. More forums could be through consultations at community level through the ADUNs in each constituency.
Penang’s LOCAL DEMOCRACY FESTIVAL 2014
Local democracy is all about ensuring the vibrancy and strength of democracy at the local, community level. It is about inclusion: making sure all voices within our communities are heard and have the opportunity and capacity to be part of discussions and decisions, especially those which affect them.
Where there are strong and active communities, we will have a stronger and more resilient society, and a stronger, more inclusive, participatory, ‘people-friendly’, responsive, transparent and accountable government.
Penang has taken a strong lead in promoting local democracy. In addition to the gazetting of state enactments with regard to local elections and freedom of information, and a number of other ‘inclusive’ initiatives at state and municipal level, local democracy has been the specific focus of a week (in 2010), a month (in 2011) and more recently a festival (2012 & 2013). The programme of these initiatives has included a Youth Parliament, community-based trainings on a variety of topics, creative activism workshops, activities to reclaim our local oral history of democratic struggle, activities targeted to include the more marginalized groups in our communities, as well as music, performances and other activities to encourage greater awareness of what local democracy means and to encourage participation in local issues amongst Penangites.
This year once again Suaram Penang office has again taken the lead in coordinating the Local Democracy Festival, with the support of the Penang State government through the office of YB Chow Kon Yeow, whose portfolio includes Local Government. The programme this year includes:
Local Democracy Festival Partners:
Penang Youth Development Cooperative (PYDC);
Badan Bertindak Penebatan Banjir KADUN Machang Bubok;
Penang Stop Human Trafficking Campaign
YB Lee Khai Loon service center
For more information: Ong Jing Cheng 012-7583779
Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1XfK9eu453od5qA7bABBHuzp1b1gMLft1abDo0LW8lD8/edit
Penang Youth Parliament have organise four years (since 2010), last 2-3 years have stable in term on getting participants although the program was conduct in 3 days 2 night. This year we will increase the quality of the debate in the youth parliament, at the same time will conduct in 5 days 4 nights. The program this year included three parts: i) concept of good governance, Freedom of Information, Malaysia political system & Participatory democracy; ii) community visits, iii) preparation motion and debate in DUN on policies
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that is also two forums within the Youth Parliament 2014 is open for public to come.
Volatile is a four piece rock band inspired by Shinedown, Foo Fighters, Led Zeppelin and Rush. Fronted by vocal Powerhouse- Sean Choon, Guitarist- Jaime Gunter, Bassist- Wei Wen and Drummer- Antoine Loncle. They are currently working on an album and hoping to release it soon.
MõBeat is translated directly from Cantonese “无Beat” which means no beat. It stands for musicians who can express the meaning of lyrics with any beat and anyone can just feel their music freely. MõBeat is not a group but a common society for those who love rap music. MõBeat will cooperate with different musicians to produce music occasional. MõBeat consists of 3 members: Hour, Kydd and Bot and they are expecting for more partners to join them to bring up local rap music.
Penang-born Ksatriya is a VIMA-nominated poet and songwriter. Word on the street is he speaks the truth to a beat. His originality and powerful storytelling have earned him a solid fan base among Malaysians. His debut EP titled RED was just released on Oct 1st. Check it out here: http://rebelrhyming.bandcamp.com/album/red
And lastly..
Living in the jungles of mainland for seven years, American poet Shannon Frances has found that Malaysia provides plenty of poetic inspiration. Her search for like-minded people, books and good vegetarian food brings her to Penang Island often, where she is gratified to find art and literature alive, well and deserving of support. Having found a receptive audience for her provokative “Bad Poetry” series, she is currently working on a new series of poems, entitled “Malaysian Statistics”. Shannon is deeply convinced of the value of democracy and is excited and proud to support local democracy in Malaysia.
This whole event will be hosted by..
Sugeindhiran or better known as Sugein “The Macho Macha” is a Vocalist/Rapper/MC currently based in Penang. Known for his love for the local entertainment industry, he has not only competed in competitions at the national level where he won second runners up, but has performed in musical events, charity based concerts and plays. Sugein has also hosted almost any type of event turning it from rigid and monotonous to witty, fun and lively with heavy audience participation.
Yeu Shu is a Penangite who majors in Chinese Studies in UTAR, Kampar. She is active in school activities and has experiences for emceeing few events in school.
For more information on this Saturday’s event: https://www.facebook.com/events/158252751049452/
We will be having our FIRST event!
Head down to Padang Kota Lama (near the MPPP building) on 5th October at 6.00 pm as we LAUNCH Local Democracy Festival 2013. Thereafter, there will be busking performances by Ksatriya, Mobeat, Shannon Frances and Volatile, hosted bu Teh Yeu Shu and Sugein.
Check out their profiles below:
That’s not all!
There will be booths selling merchandise and books as well!
So come along this Saturday with family and friends, and chill with us that evening!
See you there!
For more information on the Launch and Busking event: https://www.facebook.com/events/158252751049452/?ref=22
GEORGE TOWN (Oct 1, 2013): The Penang government has allocated RM40,000 for the the Local Democracy Festival 2013, which begins on Saturday.
State Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the three-month event organised by Suaram and supported by the state government is aimed at promoting democracy among the younger generation.
“The event will allow them to have a better understanding of local governance, ” he told reporters at a press conference today.
The festival was introduced in 2010 and served as a platform for the voice of the youth to be heard.
Project coordinator Melanie Yong said the festival, which entered its fourth year, has created an awareness of democracy among youths.
“There are plenty of activities, such as a forum on JKKK (village development and security committee) elections and an activism camp, to appeal to people from all walks of life, ” she said.
The event ends on Dec 15.
To view article: http://www.thesundaily.my/news/844860
This year’s Local Democracy Festival in Penang is coming very soon! Through out the month of October to December, there will be a few events going on, namely: Launch cum Busking, Democratic Heritage Tour, Committee Training Workshops, Youth Parliament, Creative Activism Camp, Video Workshops.
So, what are you waiting for?
Local Democracy Festival Penang 