With the elections around the corner, a group of musicians got together to spread the word on what our rights really are.
WHAT BETTER WAY TO reach the masses, especially young adults, than through music? Bob Dylan did it, through his own brand of folk music. Bob Marley made dreadlocks cool and got everyone to sing and stand up for their rights. Even Rage Against the Machine did it with its own brand of cathartic release.
So it came as no surprise that the Bar Council Constitutional Law Committee (BCCLC) collaborated with local indie arts communities Frinjan and Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM) and other local NGOs to create an all-day music fest called “Rock4Rights” at Fort Cornwallis, Penang. BCCLC’s current chairperson, Syahredzan Johan could not agree more. “We realise that music has the greatest appeal and impact on young adults. It’s Woodstock lite, without the booze, drugs and bare butts,” he grinned.
According to Syahredzan, organising the 12-hour concert and carnival was the ninth and final phase of BCCLC’s MyConstitution campaign. “It’s a venue for like-minded and talented artists to gather and share their views on constitutional and human rights through the expression of their art,” he said. The diverse committee of BCCLC consists of not only lawyers but also academicians, students, activists and members of the public.
