Dr Francis Loh has taken over as Aliran president after P Ramakrishnan decided to step down at the 35th annual general meeting of the society today.
Aliran members present unanimously elected scholar-activist Loh, the outgoing honorary secretary, to lead the organisation.
Dr Mustafa K Anuar, the outgoing assistant secretary, was elected honorary secretary replacing Loh, while Leena Mohan takes over as assistant secretary. Anil Netto was returned as honorary treasurer.
Ramakrishnan will remain in the Aliran leadership as he was elected to the executive committee. Also elected were Dr Prema Devaraj, Andrew Wong, Dr Soon Chuan Yean, Dr Andrew Aeria, Sarajun Hoda bin Abdul Hassan, Angeline Loh, Dr Subramaniam Pillay, Dr Lye Tuck-Po, Ch’ng Teng Liang and Henry Loh.
Jaya Mohan a/l Kathamuthu was elected the honorary auditor.
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In his keynote address, outgoing president Ramakrishnan told members, “Based on the Auditor-General’s Report, the BN has forfeited its right to stay on in power. Political change is inevitable; it will come. Let’s go for it.”
The AGM paid tribute to Ramakrishnan’s 18-year stewardship of the organisation. As president, Ramakrishnan was known for issuing forthright statements against injustice, undemocratic practices, unethical politics and human rights violations. “Rama provided steady and courageous leadership over the years, and I have personally been inspired and have learned much from his leadership,” incoming president Loh told the meeting.
Ramakrishnan, who joined the organisation immediately after it was formed in 1977, was first elected president in 1993, at a time when Aliran was faced with a leadership vacuum. As Aliran Monthly editor since 1984, he transformed the organisation’s journal into one of the most respected periodicals in the country, a voice of conscience in Malaysian society.
In a parting note as president, Ramakrishnan reflected, “It’s been 18 years of fulfilling, enriching and rewarding experience.”
Leena Mohan
Assistant Secretary
20 November 2011
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Many thanks for the long years of service to Malaysia. Rama, Loh et all, many of us out there do really appreciate the principled stand you have taken on so many issues that affected the weak and those without a voice. We all want to make Malaysia a better place for everyone, and Aliran has been a significant force towards this goal.
May I also suggest that Aliran reaches out to the thousands of university students who are the country’s future. Most of them, perhaps 90 per cent of them, do not know about Aliran or its goals.
Thanks for your thoughtful message. We will bring it to Rama’s attention.
I wish to express my deep appreciation to Mr P Ramakrishnan for having helmed Aliran for 18 years with sincerity, dignity and fine leadership. You and your dear ones will be bountifully blessed for your continuing dedication and sacrifices. As the editor of the Aliran Monthly for the last 27 years your ability to bring out this fine magazine every month is amazing to say the least, considering it is a voluntary effort by an NGO. I will of course add my equal appreciation to members of your team for their support and assistance for your success for you would not have been able to do it alone.Congratulations to Dr Francis Loh for being elevated to the highest post in our esteemed organisation. With your knowledge and long experience I am sure you will continue with the good work done by your predecessors.
DEAR RAMA,
A JOB WELL DONE HOLDING THE POST FOR 18 YEARS PUBLISHING ARTICLES WITHIUT FEAR OR FAVOUR, MANY WOULD HAVE VANISHED FROM THE SCENE, BUT YOU HELD ON ALL THESE YEARS. ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU FOR A LIVING EXAMPLE FOR FUTURE MALAYSIANS TO CHERISH AND ADOPT.
YOURS SINCERELY LIM BIAN TEE
FORMER SXI TEACHER
I have been subscribing for Aliran for some 30 years (since when it was a quarterly).
I would say Ramakrishnan’s leadership far outstrips Chandra’s.
You are one man who dares call a spade a spade without mining a word.
God Bless You sir.