YB DATUK AMBIGA SREENEVASAN - WHO IS SHE?

Hi! Everyone,


This is just a follow up of my preceding post in regard to the international award won by our Malaysian fellow. To refresh yourself, you may click at the title of the post.

In recent weeks her name was mentioned everywhere, local and international news. By now, this rally on July 9, 2011 made her name even more glorious than before. As such, I believe lots of people would like to know her better. In this connection, I append her profile from Wilkipedia for your reference and information.


From Wikipedia


Ynag Berbahagia Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan


24th President of Malaysian Bar Council


In office 2007–2009


Preceded by YEO YANG POH


Succedded by : RAGUNATH KESAVAN


Chairperson of Bersih 2.0

Incumbent


Assumed office 2011




Dato' Ambiga Sreenevasan (born 1956) is a Malaysian lawyer who served as the President of the Malaysian Bar Council from 2007 to 2009. She is a former student of Convent Bukit Nanas and served as the Head Prefect in 1975.


Awards


In March 2009, Ambiga became one of the eight recipients of the 2009 Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Award.[1][2] In the ceremony, the United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton commented:


“ Ambiga Sreenevasan, has a remarkable record of accomplishment in Malaysia. She has pursued judicial reform and good governance, she has stood up for religious tolerance, and she has been a resolute advocate of women’s equality and their full political participation. She is someone who is not only working in her own country, but whose influence is felt beyond the borders of Malaysia. And it is a great honour to recognise her and invite her to the podium.[3]”


Religious equality


Ambiga Sreenevasan has stood up for religious tolerance and was the lawyer for Lina Joy in her apostasy case. Ambiga has argued that Article 121(1A) of the Constitution of Malaysia does not deprive Muslims from equality and freedom of religion. All Muslim groups accuse her of disputing Syariah law.[4]


Acting in her capacity as President of the Malaysian Bar Council, Ambiga accepted a memorandum on the formation of an inter-faith commission, which also made 14 demands. Ambiga further held a forum on Article 121(1A) concerning syariah law and the rights of Muslims for freedom of religion, despite objections from conservative Muslim groups.[5]


Bersih 2.0 rally


Bersih 2.0, as the organisation has branded itself for the 2011 rally, is chaired by Ambiga Sreenevasan. The group is pushing the Election Commission of Malaysia (EC) to ensure free and fair elections in Malaysia. They have demanded that the EC clean up the electoral roll, reform postal voting, use indelible ink, introduce a minimum 21-day campaign period, allow all parties free access to the media and put an end to dirty politics.


Ambiga has summed up the main issues raised by the organisation she leads as "unhappiness... in the Sarawak [election], unhappiness about corruption, [and] unhappiness about the independence of our institutions."[6] She said demands made during the first rally in 2007 have not been addressed, hence the follow-up rally.[7]


The communiqué issued by Bersih issued in 2007 called for reforms to Malaysia's first past the post electoral system, ensuring the independence of the Election Commission (EC), eliminating electoral practices deemed unfair to opposition candidates, eliminating corrupt campaign practices, equal access to the media for all political parties, and instituting a caretaker government during election periods, among others in the long term.[8] It also asked for immediate action to introduce indelible ink to prevent multiple voting, the abolition of postal votes, a complete revision of the electoral roll and equal access to state-owned media for all political parties.[8] A statement on 15 June also called for:[9]


• Automatic voter registration


• Reforms to postal voting


• Use of indelible ink


• Access to the mainstream media for opposition parties


• A minimum campaign period of 21 days


• Independence of institutions


• An end to electoral graft


Bersih's demands have been repeatedly dismissed by the Election Commission (EC), who have sought to tie the organisation to the opposition's agenda.[10] EC deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar claimed Bersih was working with Pakatan Rakyat to "overthrow the government."[10] In turn, Ambiga has criticised the EC's conduct, asking them to remain independent from politics.[11]


On 23 June 2011, Ambiga received a death threat via text message.[12] She remained defiant, saying "nothing has changed" and the rally will go on.[13]


With this information and update, it makes my proceeding post completed and fulfilled.


Have a fruitful day,


James Oh


Skype me at james.oh18


To read other related articles, please click at the link below:-



http://liftyouup.blogspot.com/2011/07/yb-datuk-ambiga-icon-of-reform.html