ALIRAN'S 21ST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The 21st Annual General Meeting of Aliran was held on 23 November 1997 in the Aliran Office, Penang.

Sdr P Ramakrishnan was unanimously re-elected as President.

Other office bearers elected were:

       Secretary             :      Dr Francis Loh
       Asst. Secretary     :      Dr Ariffin Omar
       Treasurer             :      Dr S P Subramaniam
       Auditor                :      Sdr S Francis Xavier
 

Also elected were eleven other executive committee members:

                                        Dr Mustafa K Anuar
                                        Sdr Anil Noel Netto
                                        Sdr Gan Kong Hwee
                                        Sdr Amar Gill
                                        Dr Wong Soak Koon
                                        Sdr Jubal Lawrence Lourdes
                                        Dr Chan Chee Khoon
                                        Dr Molly Lee
                                        Sdr Daphne Goh
                                        Sdr Pajan Singh
                                        Sdr Zaharom Nain
 

Three resolutions were passed unanimously by the House:
 

• Aliran urges the government to focus its attention on the current economic problems. While welcoming the  setting up of the National Economic Action Council,  Aliran calls for a comprehensive study of the structural  weaknesses of the economy in its entirety and  consultation with Malaysians from all walks of life  before initiating any action plans. In this regard Aliran  calls for greater transparency and public accountability  by the government and big businesses; and more investigative and analytical reporting by the Malaysian media.

• Aliran calls upon the government to ensure that inflation is controlled, jobs are secured and essential services provided efficiently despite cost-cutting measures. We are concerned in particular that comprehensive healthcare services are provided for all Malaysians especially the poorer segments of society.

• Aliran calls upon the government to repeal the Internal Security Act and to release immediately all detainees held without trial under this unjust law. We are concerned in particular about the fate of the 10  Malaysians who were recently arrested in November 1997  because they were allegedly involved in “deviationist  teachings”  and were allegedly “becoming more aggressive  and violent”. Aliran calls upon the government to charge them in court  if it has proof that they were involved in violent  activities.