It’s time to raise funds for Aliran

With tongue in cheek, Prema Devaraj explains why Aliran readers should support our drive to raise funds for our struggle towards justice, freedom and solidarity.

With that title you can guess what this newsletter is going to be about.

While money has flown in and out of the country, around the world and back in a variety of forms including a substantial donation given and apparently returned, none of it has made its way to the Aliran coffers. Yes, we have checked. There are too few zeroes in our bank account. In fact we are in danger of the zero being the first digit in our account in a few months.

So here we are, in our 39th year of existence, lamenting the direction of the nation, fraught with corruption, religious conservatism, punitive laws which violate basic human rights and a dire lack of honesty among the country’s leadership.

The one thing Aliran has in common with the state of the nation is that our finances need a boost. Now, we do not have connections with the rich elite (in Saudi or otherwise), timber tycoons, the Hollywood film industry or access to Panama offshore companies and accounts.

We have not relied on any commercial or other big sources of funding, so our readers can be sure our views and analyses are independent and not aligned to any vested interests.

But what we have is our commitment to Aliran’s Basic Principles and the support of ordinary people from all walks of life who still hold true to principles of justice, freedom and solidarity. How we all desperately yearn for a better form of government for this country.

And so to ensure our existence, to protect our independent online presence and to carry on the struggle for a better Malaysia, it is time we embark on another Aliran Fundraising Dinner. This time our fundraising dinner will be held in Kuala Lumpur at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) on Saturday, 23 July 2016.

Everyone is welcome to make donations and take up tables. We have wonderful food (halal Chinese and Indian vegetarian) and also an amazing line-up of extraordinary talent with Azmyl Yunor and Orkes Padu, Pak Samad and Az Samad.

There will be no doubt as to the calibre of performances, and the organising committee sincerely hope it will make up for the performance by the Aliran Singers. (OK, they have started practising – well, sort of. They are still arguing about the lyrics. That aside, they hope to be able to sing in key by mid-July.)

Our special guest speaker for the evening is none other than Dato Ambiga Sreenevasan. It will be an interesting evening to say the least.

Now – surprise! surprise!

In addition to our brilliant new Aliran T-shirts (the designs are under the ‘OSA’ until the night of the dinner), we have a new souvenir for Aliran supporters. A clock. That’s right folks – The Time to Act Clock! And about time too, is all we can say!

As you can see from the graphic, this is a clock like no other. The clock serves as a reminder of the current state of the nation and the importance of practising such principles and values at all times throughout the day. The clock is to inspire us: it’s time to act.

Perhaps some of you might be encouraged to get these clocks for yourselves or even present these clocks to some of our leaders. Given the current scenario, we encourage you to get these clocks in bulk!

Designed specially for Aliran (you will not find this in any shop!), we invite you to be among the first to make a simple donation of RM50 and pick up your souvenir clock. All clocks can be collected from Aliran in Penang or during the Aliran Fundraising Dinner at KLSCAH.

Please contact the Aliran office at 04-6585251 during office hours (Tuesdays to Saturdays) or aliran.malaysia (at) yahoo.com for more information on how to make donations for the Aliran Fundraising Dinner tables and get your souvenir Time to Act Clock.

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

Support our work by making a donation. Tap to download the QR code below and scan this QR code from Gallery by using TnG e-wallet or most banking apps: