AG's RM1,000 fee for seminar shocks NGOs

 

Penang Consumer Protection Association president K Koris Atan said he was recently invited to attend the freedom of assembly seminar, scheduled for June 20 and 21 in Putrajaya but was "shocked" at the amount asked from the NGOs.

Koris (right) questioned the purpose of the government disseminating information to the public when it makes it too expensive for NGOs to afford.

The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations vice-chief also asked if the department was making a mockery of Prime Minister Najib Razak's hope to see NGOs as a bridge between the government and the people.

"We are shocked and disappointed that a government agency is doing this. The government should disseminate information for free as it is its duty to keep the public informed about new development in law," said Koris. 

"NGOs can be resource persons and they will in turn bring back the information to the public, so it is unfair to make us pay such high fees for helping the government do its work," he added.
 
Exposure for  Peaceful Assembly Act 

One of the aims of the seminar is to expose participants with the recent development on the notion of freedom, particularly on the enactment of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (act 736).

Organised by the Prosecution Division, the AG chambers have fixed RM1,000 for private agencies, NGOs and the public, legal firms and chambering students.

Ministry and government agencies' participants would be charged RM500, while college and university students need to fork out only RM100 to attend the two events at Dewan Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Yusoff.
Speakers include former premier Dr Mahathir Mohammad, Umno Youth chief and Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin, Prosecution Division head Abdul Wahab Mohamed and UiTM legal adviser Prof Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi.

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia vice-chief Dr Khaw Lake Tee and UIA constitutional law senior lecturer Prof Dr Shamrahayu Ab Aziz will also speak at the function.

Koris also asked if the speakers - among them former SAC Razali Basri, Bukit Aman Legal and Prosecution Division principal- were aware of the fees charged on NGO participation.

He urged the speakers to pull out of the event as it was a disgrace to be associated with a concern that rips off NGOs of their limited funds.

"Do you agree to the AG's Chambers charging participants money? Are you part of the conspiracy?
"Are you willing to boycott the event? Or else, it would seem as if you are being paid to speak here," he said.

Koris said the event is being held in the AG's office and not in a five-star hotel, and it is illogical to charge participants for food and drinks, which would not amount to much anyway.

He added that the charging of fees was akin to suing Bersih 3.0 organiser S Ambiga for RM200,000 for the alleged damages around Dataran Merdeka following the event.

"This is indeed the saddest moment of Najib's administration. The PM must personally advise the AG on the matter for he has done a great disservice to the former," said Koris.

He questioned whether the Finance Ministry was aware of this exorbitant fees being charged the NGOs and whether the department can issue proper policy guidelines immediately on the matter.