The formation of Centre for Society Empowerment & Democratic Studies (SEEDS)

by : Rozie Jumat

Dwelling on what went wrong - somehow strangely fashionable today – only creates chaos and negativity. This is why we must shift our focus to what we must do next. Only by redirecting our focus to solutions that are rooted in objectivity and solid research will we be able to bring about positive outcomes. By doing this, we will be able to move mountains.

The Centre for Society Empowerment and Democratic Studies
(SEEDS) is a non-Governmental think tank that is dedicated to the ideal of
creating a modern, moderate and progressive society through its research

and outreach programmes

SEEDS seeks to promote moderation and the middle-ground view among Sabahans, therefore it will be conducting forums, seminars, rountables and other outreach programmes in the future. SEEDS is of the view that rational and unemotional discourse is an imperative way in any attempt at addressing issues that relate to Sabah and Sabahans.

SEEDS’ pro tem C.E.O., Dr Arnold Puyok, is a Sabahan from Sipitang. Dr Puyok, a political scientist by training has been collaborating with ten young, talented and highly-educated Sabahans of different backbgound that led to the birth of SEEDS. He also welcomes more progressive and moderate Sabahans and Sarawakians to join SEEDS in making Malaysia a better place to live. Dr Puyok said,

"It is time for the country to move forward. We cannot afford to sit idly and do nothing. The future of Malaysia depends on the resilience, unity, and active participation of its citizens in building the country."

To lay the first stone, SEEDS will be conducting a workshop titled, ‘Historical Truth Behind the Formation of Malaysia and the Way Forward’ at Magellan Sutera Harbor on 12 November 2014. The purpose of this workshop is to increase awareness among Malaysians, especially Sabahans and Sarawakians, on the founding of our country from nation-building perspective.

This topic is important because the younger generation must know the reason why Malaysia was formed and what needs to be done to keep the spirit of Malaysia alive. Participants at this workshop will consist of professionals from diverse backgrounds who share a common desire: to contribute to the country’s progress and to exorcise the current racial, religious and regional tensions that exist today from our socio-political landscape.

People in Sabah and Sarawak are now more aware of political developments in Malaysia and have begun to actively voice their opinions about issues that matter to them. This is to be encouraged. However, there are those who are more interested in raising sentiments rather than finding valid solutions to real world issues. This is a challenge that the workshop will also seek to address.

SEEDS is headquartered at Lot 21, 1st Floor, Lorong Grace Square, Jalan Pantai Sembulan, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. For further information, please contact Dr Arnold Puyok (CEO-designate/Senior Research Fellow) at these numbers: 088-270637 (telephone) or 088-256613 (facsimile).   SEEDS will be inviting the media to its official launch schduled to take place in the first quarter of 2015.