Elizabeth Wong, 37, is a prominent social activist who has been involved in the struggle for human rights since her student days in Australia. She is a member of the leading human rights organisation, SUARAM and was Secretary-General of the National Human Rights Society (HAKAM) 2000-05. Elizabeth has also served two years as Head of Research and Advocacy in Nepal’s premier development NGO.
Elizabeth is a Fellow of the Carnegie Council for Ethics and International Affairs, United States (2002-2003). She was involved in setting up the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus For Democracy and was also a founding member of the Solidarity Campaign for Human Rights in Aceh. She has also addressed several international conferences, among them United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, and also in New York, London and Paris.
Elizabeth has been involved in peace and conflict work in Southern Thailand, Mindanao, East TImor and Aceh. She is also a consultant for Strategic Information and Research Development Centre (SIRD). Most importantly, she is involved in many local issues, battling for greater environmental protection, greater transparency and accountability of local councils and the Selangor state government. She was involved in the residents’ fight against the controversial aspects of the Petaling Jaya Draft Local Plan 1, as well as the Save Sungai Selangor and the Save Bukit Gasing campaigns.
Her direct involvement with national politics began in 2004 when she joined the People’s Justice Party (KeADILan). Today, she holds the position of Information Chief of the KeADILan Women’s wing. Elizabeth was also the Parliamentary Aide to Member of Parliament (Permatang Pauh) YB Datin Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Elizabeth also writes on socio-political issues and was a columnist in Malaysiakini.com. Her other interests include photography, history and philosophy. Her photographs have been exhibited in Malaysia, South Korea and Australia. In addition, she was a former national swimmer. She is fluent in English, Bahasa Malaysia and conversant in Mandarin and Cantonese.
No comments:
Post a Comment