Importance of Interest Groups
People normally find an interest group that focuses on their concerns and daily cores. Not all interest groups are political motivated, but many of these interest groups may try to or campaign to influence public policies.
Interest groups in Malaysia exist in various forms, via formal structure, registered as a society, club or association, which we usually call them as non-governmental organizations (NGOs); in certain circumstances some interest groups may also register in a form of a company limited by guarantee, private limited company or as a small business entity. This is due to the fact that the government's registrar of societies' reluctance to see these NGOs flourish under their book.
The other type of interest groups are existing in an informal structure, unregistered, normally a coalition of NGOs, organizations who came together to fight for a common objective or demand. Such informal pact or coalition are usually decentralized. Decentralization thus encourage a great variety of interest groups to mushroom.
When interest groups were unable to channel their views, demands and views or convince the legislation for action and implementation, the only option is to put their demands through litigation proceedings.
In Malaysia, there are many kinds of interest groups that are established for the purpose of protecting human rights; protection of consumer rights, promoting transparency and combating corruption; championing for equal and just socio-economic system; protecting workers' rights; youth and students concerns; legal groupings to assist the public; residential associations; journalism; women's rights; concerns on animal welfare; those seeking for free and fair elections and promotion of interfaith harmony.
The notable interest groups that we could see today are Aliran Kesedaran Negara (ALIRAN), Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM), Centre for Combating Corruption & Cronyism (C4), Transparency Internation of Malaysia (TIM), Consumer Association of Penang (CAP), Federation of Consumer Associations in Malaysia (FOMCA), Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC), Lawyers for Liberty (LFL), Society for Prevention of Cruelty on Animals (SPCA), Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0), Malaysian Consultative Council Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST), Malaysian Youth and Students Democratic Movement (DEMA), All Women's Action Society (AWAM), Association of Women Lawyers, Labour Resource Centre (LRC) and Good Governance Penang.
The other interest groups which are political motivated or with interests in public policy, political development and efficiency exist in forms of research and studies outfits, institutions and pressure groups are the Research For Social Advancement (REFSA), Institut Rakyat, Centre for a Better Tomorrow (CENBET), Inter-Research And Studies (IRAS), Centre for Promoting Democracy and Reforms (Reformasi), National Oversight and Whistleblowers' Centre (NOW), Community Development Centre (CDC), Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT), Solidarity Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM), Anak Muda Harapan Malaysia (AMHM), Persatuan Ummah Sejahtera Malaysia (PASMA), Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF), Sisters In Islam (SIS) and Kuala Lumpur-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH).
This is a hallmark of a democratic society that allows the people to create alternative political resources, to seek public awareness on issues, public policies when they observe that private economic corporations, governments or political parties violated their interests and wellbeing.
In that sense. interest groups, big or small, play a fundamental role here. They help and inform the people more effectively, utilize their resources they have, voting, free speech, assembly, social medias and judicial proceedings.
