Cover image via The Malaysian Insider
A group of 10 local NGOs are positive that incarcerated politician, Anwar Ibrahim should be nominated for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize this year
The local NGOs speaking about nominating Anwar Ibrahim for the Nobel Peace Prize this year, at a press conference held yesterday, 5 January
Image via Free Malaysia Today
Championing their support for Anwar, Otai Reformasi's head, Saari Sungib highlighted that the UK based human rights NGO and Nobel Prize winner, Amnesty International has dubbed Anwar as "prisoner of conscience" twice in the past
Started more than a century ago, in 1901, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded annually to exceptional individuals that have "done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses"
The Nobel Prize award was created by prominent scientist and inventor of dynamite, Alfred Noble and as per his will and wishes, the recipients of this award can only be selected by the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
As for the nominators for this prize, it has to come from qualified nominators that fulfill these criteria:
The selection process is a lengthy one; starting in January as the committee waits for the nominations and selections are finalised in October, while the awards will be presented in December.
Former South African President, the late Nelson Mandela was awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize award in 1993
Image via INC Wajana
The NGOs also took the opportunity during the press conference held yesterday, 5 January, to inform the public about the planned 'Free Anwar, Save the Nation' rally that is set to be held on 3 April at the Dataran Merdeka
Protesters at pro-Anwar rally after he was imprisoned last February under sodomy charges
Image via KL Coconuts
While speaking about Anwar, national laureate A Samad Said, commented that his sacrifices and contributions to the nation must be taken into count and honoured in a dignified manner
"We are not here to start a campaign, or to get signatures for Anwar to get the prize. That's not how it works," stressed PKR's Batu MP Tian Chua
Former deputy prime minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been in the limelight since his controversial arrest for high-level corruption and sodomy charges in 1998.
His political comeback was seen in 2013 when he led the opposition coalition to win 89 parliamentary seats in the 13th General Elections.
Anwar won the parliamentary seat of the Permatang Pauh constituency and was its member of parliament from 28 August 2008 till 16 March 2015.
But in March 2014, his legal troubles ensued and he was slapped with a 5-year prison sentence that commenced on 10 February 2015.
International organisations, human rights committees, world leaders, including American President Barack Obama, expressed their disappointment over the matter, calling it an infringement on democracy.
Image via The Sydney Morning Herald
The first Malaysian to have won the Nobel Peace Prize was Mohd Nasarudin Mohd Yusof.
He received it with his team at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) back in 2013.
