Dear members of AI Malaysia,
A Warm Welcome to Amnesty International Malaysia’s New Executive Director
Katrina Jorene Maliamauv, who joined us early this month, brings with her an extensive experience as a human rights activist, researcher and educator with a special focus on marginalised communities. She has done some amazing work with a local non-profit that focuses on refugees and migrants’ rights, having mentored young activists and refugee women leaders, amongst others. I am sure she will be pleasantly surprising us with her original poetries and thoughtful writings during her journey with us.
AI Malaysia’s Board also wishes our best to Preethi Bhardwaj who some of you may have come to work with and get to know during the past five months when she stepped in as Interim ED. Additionally, a heartfelt gratitude to AI Phillipines Director Butch Olano, AI Thailand’s Director Piyanut Kotsan, Roseann Rife, Jerry Bernas and Rachel of ESEAPRO, and others within the movement who provided guidance and assisted us during the hiring process.
We wish Katrina all the best and hope that our Amnesty family will provide her with all the care and support she’ll need.
Welcoming A New Board Member
The Board co-opted Marinah Rahmat this month to fill one vacancy on the Board in line with Clause 9.8 of the Constitution which reads:
9.8 Filling of vacancies in the Board of Governance
“The Board of Governance shall appoint/ co-opt a member of Amnesty International Malaysia to replace any vacancies on the Board of Governance for its remaining term in office to the best of its abilities.”
Marinah is a human rights enthusiast with experience in legal practice and volunteerism and a passion for the written word. She is currently a Student Researcher at the Leiden University, a fundraising volunteer and is completing her Advanced Masters in Public International Law.
Sustainability Policy
We thank Preethi Bhardwaj who provided the Board a first draft of the policy that provides guidance in adopting sustainable practices internally.
We welcome Kim Khoo, now based in the UK, who agreed to work with the Board in reviewing the draft. Kim brings with her a solid background in sustainability and growth strategy, and the Board is looking forward to building long term sustainability plans for AI Malaysia.
Election Manual
The Board has received the first draft of the Election Manual and will be holding a round of consultations. Members who have experience participating and/or conducting elections both online and offline are encouraged to join us so that we may conduct a thorough review of the draft and answer pertinent questions in managing our elections moving forward.
Kindly write to [email protected] with your expression of interest.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
For the very first time, we will be conducting our AGM fully online due to the pandemic. We welcome feedback from members in choosing the right platform for the meet, for elections and to assist us in navigating these new waters. We are also looking to appoint three members to form our election committee. Do write in to [email protected] with your expression of interest.
The Board understands that technical support will be needed, and we are aiming to make this process as seamless as possible. We look forward to working with you in making this a success. Do look out for the official notices in your inbox.
Global Assembly
As a first for Amnesty, the Global Assembly will also be completely online this year on the 7th and 8th of November 2020. The Assembly will be submitting questions on accountability reports and participating in voting of formal business and internationally elected positions in the months preceding the GA itself.
Kindly write to [email protected] if you may be interested to have a copy of the Movement Impact Report and the International Treasurer’s Report so that we may submit questions or feedback to the International Board.
Further, before the pandemic, AI Malaysia was given the opportunity to send a Youth Delegate to the GA this year. Due to current circumstances, our Youth Delegate will instead be attending the 2021 GA.
Thank You!
The Board wishes to thank our members and supporters who have provided us the support we needed navigating the past few months. We have also been deeply touched by how some of our members went out of their way to reach out to people in need on the ground.
We also thank the Secretariat who have been doing a great job in the interim and we wish them all the best under a new leadership.
Finally, a huge Thank You to the Board who have been my pillars of strength through it all!
In solidarity,
Kalai Nilaa
Chair, 2019-2020