34TH IIUM CONVO BOOK

28 34th IIUM Convocation Ceremony Majlis Konvokesyen IIUM ke-34 IBN KHALDUN MERIT AWARD FOR GLOBAL SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION Inspired by the universal stature of Ibn Khaldun and his ideas about kinship, solidarity and the relationship between culture and environment, the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)introduced the Ibn Khaldun Merit Award to honour his scholarly legacy. This Award is intended to highlight the value of organisations within the community and promote its achievements as positive role models for both the government and non-governmental organisations in delivering community service. The Award recognises those who promote sustainable development in the community and endeavour either directly or indirectly to render service to the community. Recipient of the Inaugural Ibn Khaldun Merit Award 2018 The recipient of the Inaugural Ibn Khaldun Merit Award 2018 is the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP). CAP The ConsumersAssociation of Penang is chosen to receive the Ibn Khaldun Merit Award in recognition of its contributions in championing consumer rights, interests of underprivileged and marginalised members in the community and promotion of sustainable development for almost 50 years. CAP’s efforts towards promoting sustainable development through participation, advocacy, demonstration campaigns, monitoring and research, as well as cooperation and networking with other NGOs and government departments have brought various benefits to Malaysian society as a whole, and also globally. In recent years, the range of activities undertaken by CAP has broadened. They now undertake a much wider range of activities than simply raising consumer and environmental protection awareness and or acting as pressure groups. Their activities now include environmental monitoring; promoting environmental education, training and capacity-building; implementing demonstration; conducting advocacy work in partnership with other agencies; and the promotion of regional and international cooperation on consumer rights and environmental protection. CAP’s involvement in the practical management of conservation areas, has been able to promote community or individual action and campaign for greater accountability on the part of the government and corporate sector. History of Establishment and Contributions of CAP Since its establishment in 1970, CAP has championed the rights and interests of Malaysians from all walks of life especially the underprivileged and marginalised members of society. It has undertaken the responsibility to solve innumerable problems faced by individuals, communities and the natural environment. The motto ‘giving a voice to the little people’ is very apt for this non-profit, independent organisation, where the main concern is ensuring the right of consumers to food, housing, health care, sanitation facilities, public transport, education and a clean environment. This is at a time when such awareness was still very low. CAP carries out research in various areas to collect evidence to support claims and to provide information to policy makers in formulating consumer policies as well as to make informed decisions, conduct awareness programmes to educate the public. CAPmanages between 3,000 to 4,000 complaints from the public annually ranging from issues of poor quality consumer products and food adulteration, delivery of services and affordable and quality housing. It has successfully managed to resolve nearly 100,000 cases since its establishment and this is not an ordinary feat especially for an NGO with limited funding. It has more than 300 affiliated members. One of its affiliate Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is established with the principal objective of protecting the environment.