Interview with Mr. Sivarasa Rasiah

Can you briefly tell us about your academic background?
Initially I intended to do medicine after Form 6 in Victoria Institution KL. However after graduating from school, I decided to pursue genetics at University Malaya and graduated with first class honours. In 1979, immediately after graduating, I embarked on a masters degree.
However I did not complete my masters degree. I ended up applying for a job as an Industrial Relations Officer at Singapore International Airlines. At that same moment, I was offered a Rhodes scholarship to pursue law at Oxford. Although I did not have a keen interest in law, I took up law as I knew with a law degree, I would be quite versatile.

Is it an advantage to have a scientific background?
Very much indeed. It has proved to be very useful in court as well as when communicating with clients.

Can you explain how the UK experience has transformed your life?
When I was studying in University of Malaya, it was a very controlled and restricted environment. Students were not allowed to participate in politics. At that time, the Akta Universiti dan Kolej Universiti (AUKU) 1971 came into force.
However, things were very much different in the UK. There was a free flow of information. I began to read more and come into realization of the dissimilar versions of our country’s history. In addition, the social interaction in the UK is very much more open.

What was the greatest impact which the UK had on you?

While I was in UK, I visited the Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp where women were protesting against cruise missiles placed at an American airbase there. Eventually I got very interested in human rights. I was also involved in The Malaysian Social Movement where we normally published articles & magazines on issues regarding Malaysia at that time.

What did you do after you completed your law degree?
After completing my law degree and the Bar in Britain, I took a year off and went to Germany where I spent most of my time in libraries reading. I worked for a short while after that in London before returning to Malaysia on my 30th birthday.
In Dec 1986, I began my pupillage in Zain & Co. under Tuan Haji Sulaiman Abdullah and I was called to the Bar in June 1987, 3 months in advance.

When was your first involvement in NGOs?
My first involvement with an NGO was in 1997 when I got involved with a women's group called Citizens Against Rape. Later I joined a protest against a waste-dumping factory in Bukit Merah. About 10, 000 locals protested against the Asian Rare Earth (ARE) factory, which produced a rare earth element called yytrium, a substance which produces harmful radioactive waste.

What motivated you to establish SUARAM?
It was the Operasi Lalang in Oct 1987, that prompted me to establish SUARAM. The formation of this body was to protest for the release of the ISA detainees.

With all these impressive involvement in the NGO, may we know how you manage your time between your work, leisure & family?
It is just matter of time management & stress management which is fundamental.

Everyone is very apprehensive in confronting the authorities. Where do you get the courage to speak up against the authorities?
Just believe in what you do. It is not about being courageous or brave. If you believe in the issue. you must believe in fighting for it. Fear is the weapon of the oppressor. We have to overcome it and fight for what we believe in.

What ignited your involvement in politics?
It was in 1998 after the Reformasi period. I joined the Parti Keadilan Rakyat as a legal advisor.

Is it true that you were arrested twice? Would you like to give us more details regarding the arrest?
In fact I was arrested 5 times. My first arrest was during the APCET II meeting where I spent about 6 days in prison. I was arrested twice during the Reformasi period. My involvement in the protest against police abuse two years ago at Bukit Aman lead to my fourth arrest. And the most recent arrest was the protest against the increase of toll prices. The campaign took place at the Puchong Toll.

Could you tell us what is your most memorable event?
It would be the Ops Lalang. While rallying along Jalan Ipoh…that’s where I met my wife. We were kind of thrown together and that's when it all happened. After a long courtship, we finally got married in 1993.

This year Malaysia is celebrating its 50 years of independence. What is your perception of the public’s awareness of their rights ?
There is a growing awareness compared to 20 years ago. This is due to a better educated public as well as the availability of the internet. However, it is still insufficient for our people because we still live in a controlled environment which shapes our consciousness. Information here is very much restricted. There is still room for improvement. We need to open our mind and get alternative sources. People should decide to act on the situation.

Is it true that you were diagnosed with thyroid cancer?
Yes, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in Feb 2000. The doctors managed to remove the growth but damaged a nerve on my vocal chords. I had to speak with a little boom box and a speaker for a bit.

How does this affect you?
Well, I appreciate my life more than ever.

May we know what you normally do for leisure?
Prior to getting involved with politics, I had more time. I loved going to Pulau Redang just to snorkel or Taman Negara or any beach . These days I'm a little busier and I am more selective as to what I take on. Most of the time, Ann and me just spend time at home watching movies and doing nothing. Spending quality time with my wife, that's what I enjoy most.

Do you have any advice to the students of INTI-UC particularly the law students?
Stay connected with the society and be informed and concerned about the pressing issues in the country. Students should see such a connection in their studies.