NGOs - The advantage of powerful connections

On Thursday I met with the Executive Director of Panyayang http://www.penyayang.org.my/ This foundation was set up by the late first lady who died of cancer. Since I am studying collaborations our conversation focused on who collaborates with Panyayang and why. The bottom line is that corporations seek relationships with Panyayang to gain access/face-time with the Prime Minister. (Panyayang can produce the PM for its events.) Consequently, Panyayang vets its collaborators carefully and works with the same people time after time. Our conversation didn't seem very different than learning why people join symphony and similar boards - although they are more interested in meeting the corporate leaders than political leaders.

Panyayang does a lot of campus events - to involve the students in charity or to enhance inter-racial relations. At least one of their corporate collaborators helps with bringing in entertainment to reve up the students. One of the first lady's interests was batik so the foundation sponsors a major (as in large cash awards) batik design award.

I asked about what would happen if the government changes (after 51 years it is only now an imaginable possibility). I learned that all PMs set up their own foundations upon taking office. Panyayang would probably survive, but the amount of money would be reduced.

On to political news - yesterday three people were arrested under the Internal Security Act - a blogger with Malaysia Today (an on-line newspaper), a state assembly woman, and a journalist (Chinese-language newpaper). The why now question probably has to do with the August 26 by-election and the predicted (threatened?) change of government on 16 September. I gather there is widespread sentiment should change but far less agreement onwhen and how. For further details such as they are here is a start http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7612845.stm