Malaysian democracy activist to speak in Perth

Malaysian Democracy activist Choo Chon Kai will be speaking at two public events in Perth in the next week:

• "The struggle for democracy and socialism in Malaysia"
  As part of the Towards a Socialist Australia conference
  Perth Activist Centre, 15/5 Aberdeen St, Perth (next to McIver station)
  
• "Campaigning against Lynas toxic waste dump"
  Foyer, Hilton Community Centre, 34 Paget Road, Hilton

Chon Kai is a central committee member of the Malaysian Socialist Party (PSM) and is currently editor of their Chinese language newspaper. He is also coordinator of the PSM international bureau.

Chon Kai was a student activist when studying at the Universiti Sains Malaysia and was suspended for a semester for selling badges that criticised the Internal Security Act.

Between 2002 and 2007 he worked as coordinator of the human rights organisation Suaram.

In 2011 he was detained for 27 days under the Emergency Ordinance as part of the police crackdown prior to the Bersih 2.0 rally for democratic and "clean" elections.